Two Chicago structures were among the 13 projects which earned recognition from the Chicago-based American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) in the 2019 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel awards program (IDEAS2).
Local projects to be recognized among the 13 finalists at 2019 NASCC: The Steel Conference, April 3-5 in St. Louis include:
- LondonHouse Hotel (Projects greater than $75 million – merit award); and
- Apple Michigan Avenue (Projects $15 million to $75 million – merit award).
A panel of design and construction industry professionals identified National and Merit winners in three categories, based on total constructed value: projects greater than $75 million; projects $15 million to $75 million; and projects less than $15 million. In addition, the panel awarded a Sculpture/Installation/Non-Building Structure Award, and Presidential Awards for Excellence in Fabrication and Erection Engineering to Facilitate Adaptive Reuse.
The 2019 national award-winning projects are:
Projects Greater than $75 Million
National Award: 181 Fremont St., San Francisco
National Award: Superior Court of California – San Diego
Merit Award: LondonHouse Hotel, Chicago
Projects $15 Million to $75 Million
National Award: UT Austin Engineering Education and Research Building Atrium, Austin, Texas
National Award: Spectrum IV, San Diego
Merit Award: Apple Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Merit Award: The Exchange at 100 Federal Street, Boston
Projects Less than $15 Million
National Award: Vespertine, Culver City, Calif.
National Award: Caddell Building, Atlanta
Merit Award: Saxum Vineyard Equipment Bard, Paso Robles, Calif.
Sculpture/Installation/Non-Building Structure
Helen Diller Civic Center Playground, San Francisco
Presidential Award for Excellence in Fabrication
The Spheres, Seattle
Presidential Award for Erection Engineering to Facilitate Adaptive Reuse
75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
The 13 IDEAS2 winners were chosen from nearly 100 submissions received from architectural, engineering and construction firms throughout the U.S. Each project was judged on its use of structural steel from both an architectural and structural engineering perspective, with an emphasis on: creative solutions to the project’s program requirements; applications of innovative design approaches in areas such as connections, gravity systems, lateral load resisting systems, fire protection and blast; aesthetic and visual impact of the project; innovative use of architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS); technical or architectural advances in the use of the steel; and the use of innovative design and construction methods.
The IDEAS2 program also recognizes the importance of teamwork, coordination and collaboration in fostering successful construction projects. Awards for each winning project will be presented to the project team members involved in the design and construction of the structural framing system, including the architect, structural engineer of record, general contractor, owner and AISC member fabricator, erector, detailer and bender-roller. The awards are presented to the team members at ceremonies held at each of the winning projects during the year.
