The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) presented three Design Excellence Awards during the recent 2016 CFSEI/MASFA (Mid-Atlantic Steel Framing Alliance) Expo at the Historic Inns of Annapolis in Annapolis, Md. The winners were: a) First Place – Base Design Group Inc. for Meditech Foxborough Office and Conference Center in Foxborough, Ma.; b) Second Place – Excel Engineering Inc. for The Wharf, 525 Water in Washington D.C.; and c) Third Place – ClarkDietrich Engineering Services LLC for the William P. Hobby Airport Expansion Project in Houston, Texas. The CFSEI Design Excellence Awards recognize small and large projects that exemplify excellence in the structural design of new or renovated structures utilizing cold-formed steel products.

“These three projects are excellent examples of using cold-formed steel framing and extensive team coordination to accomplish innovative and cost-effective design solutions,” said Maribeth Rizzuto, LEED AP – BD + C, Managing Director of the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute. “Each project presented its own unique design challenges. We received many creative submissions for this award, and had a difficult time making the final selections. We appreciate all of the entries that were submitted.”

About the Projects

First Place - Base Design Group Inc. - Meditech Foxborough Office and Conference Center, Foxborough, Mass.
Meditech Foxborough Office and Conference Center is a four-story structure. The project consisted of a complete renovation of an existing structure that had not been occupied in years. The renovation included the significant removal of an existing elevated concrete floor slab and existing steel columns to make way for a new two-story, 568-seat auditorium with a center stage area using cold-formed steel framing as the primary structural system. The auditorium was unique for its elliptical shape and presented several design challenges. The project was completed in June 2015. Read more here.

Second Place - Excel Engineering Inc. - The Wharf, 525 Water, Washington, D.C.
The project scope was a 107-unit condominium building and the first residential project to be constructed in a development known as The Wharf, a mile-long waterfront neighborhood including retail, residential, hospitality, offices, cultural, public park and piers. Most of the project consisted of load-bearing cold-formed steel framing. The wall framing contains complex curves and angles, which required prefabrication off-site. Extensive beam pockets, MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing services) sleeves, shear wall posts and an aggressive construction schedule provided additional challenges. The project was completed in December 2015. Read more here. 

Third Place – ClarkDietrich Engineering Services, LLC - William P. Hobby Airport Expansion Project, Houston, Texas
Southwest Airlines established a hub at Hobby Airport and wanted to expand its international flight offerings, requiring an expansion for the international terminal. The plan called for five new terminal gates and a new parking garage. The project required complex engineering challenges and framing designs with short construction deadlines. Detailed panel drawings and extensive coordination between the engineering and BIM teams were critical to completing the project on time. The project was completed in October 2015. Read more here.

The 2016 CFSEI/MASFA Expo was attended by more than 100 architects, builders/contractors, engineers and other construction industry professionals. The event provided opportunities for education, networking, and an exposition featuring state-of-the-art innovations, technologies and principles in cold-formed steel framing.  This is the only event of its kind dedicated to the cold-formed steel framing industry and is held on an annual basis.  

For more information, visit www.cfsei.org.