Ten projects distinguished for stellar Steel-Frame Building Design in 2016 IDEAS² Awards

It's been another successful year for the Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel awards, or IDEAS² for short. Celebrating the significance of the construction and design industries, the American Institute of Steel Construction hosts the annual competition to distinguish projects across the U.S. that exhibit top-notch structural-steel construction design. First established more than half a century ago, the awards are also considered to be one of the highest honors bestowed to building projects by the structural steel industry in the U.S.

Out of nearly 100 submissions this year, 10 projects received National and Merit Awards in three categories, based on the project's total constructed value: Projects less than $15 million; Projects $15 million to $75 million; and Projects greater than $75 million. The Emerson College Los Angeles in L.A. scooped this year's Presidential Award for Excellence in Engineering, while The Gourd in San Antonio, Texas won Jury Recognition in the new Sculpture/Art Installation Category.

The judging panel evaluated each submission's use of structural steel based on an architectural and structural engineering perspective, with emphasis on multiple elements like creative solutions to the project's program requirements, innovative application of design approaches in gravity systems, lateral load resisting systems, fire protection; aesthetics and visual impact; and creative use of architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS), to name a few.

Have a look at this year's winners.

(cover image) Presidential Award of Excellence in Engineering: Emerson College Los Angeles, Los Angeles

Projects less than $15 million:

• National Award: American Physical Society, Ridge, N.Y.
• National Award: Vertical House, Dallas
• Merit Award: The Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center, Little Rock, Ark.
• Merit Award: Principal Riverwalk Pavilion, Des Moines, Iowa

Projects $15 Million to $75 Million:

• National Award: Nu Skin Innovation Center, Provo, Utah
• National Award: Rutgers University School of Business, Piscataway, N.J.

Projects Greater than $75 Million:

• National Award: National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion, New York
• Merit Award: Mariposa Land Port of Entry, Nogales, Ariz.

Jury Recognition - Sculpture/Art Installation Category: The Gourd, San Antonio, Texas