Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS²) Awards

Sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction, the Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS²) Award program recognizes projects that illustrate the exciting possibilities of building with structural steel. The IDEAS² Awards showcase the innovative use of structural steel in:

• the accomplishment of the structure's program
• the expression of architectural intent
• the application of innovative design approaches to the structural system
• leveraging productivity-enhancing construction methods

The most successful projects are designed and built by teams, not by individuals. In active support of the trend toward collaboration and coordination during all stages of a project's completion, AISC has merged its architectural and structural engineering award programs into a single program designed to showcase excellence and innovation in the use of structural steel in a single project.

Why you should enter:

AISC's award programs have celebrated landmark structures built with structural steel since 1960. These architectural icons span generations and stand the test of time. AISC recognizes and promotes these projects in recognition of their impact in terms of structural innovation, advances in safety, benefit to the local community, and environmental consciousness.

The prestigious list of winners includes such enduring landmarks as:

• One World Trade Center in New York
• The Gateway Arch in St. Louis
• Chicago's Sears (now Willis) Tower
• The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
• The PanAm Passenger Terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York

IDEAS² Awards don’t only go to high-profile projects. AISC has recently honored an outstanding monumental stair, a gorgeous public transit station, and the sustainable equipment barn at a winery in addition to jaw-dropping high-rises and striking education buildings. All we ask is innovation and imaginative design!

In addition to substantial press support and publicity through AISC’s own print and online media, winning teams have the unique opportunity to present their projects to the AEC community during special webinars or live events throughout the year. If possible, AISC will also conduct an on-site award presentation.

How it works:

Any member of a project's design and construction team may submit it for award consideration. The IDEAS² Awards recognize all members of the team involved with the structural framing system: the architectural firm, the structural engineering firm of record, the general contractor, the steel detailer, the steel fabricator and/or erector, as well as the structure's owner. The architect and structural engineer of record may also choose to recognize specialty consultants and contractors.

A panel of professionals from the design and construction industries will judge the entries in five categories according to constructed value. There is also a category for sculptures, art installations, and non-building structures.

How much does it cost to enter? 

There is no cost to enter, and any member of the project team is welcome to submit a project for consideration. Additionally, you may submit an unlimited number of projects, as long as they all meet our award program requirements.

To learn more or start the entry process, visit aisc.org/ideas2.