Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing and offsite panelization continue to transform hospitality construction. Developers increasingly choose prefabricated framing systems when projects demand schedule certainty, precision and efficient installation.
Hotel Henrietta in New Orleans, Louisiana, illustrates this approach. The 5-story boutique hotel used offsite manufactured CFS framing to meet demanding architectural requirements while accelerating construction.
The project team completed 4 floors of load-bearing framing in just 3-months. Traditional field framing would have required an estimated 7-8 months and 3-times the onsite labor. SFIA member Howick supplied the roll-forming technology for the prefabricated framing system.
Images provided by Howick.
Crews hoist panelized cold-formed steel (CFS) wall panels into place during construction of the Hotel Henrietta in New Orleans.
Panelized cold-formed steel (CFS) framing supports rapid installation and precise construction..
CFS Accelerates Construction
Hotel Henrietta occupies a prominent corner in New Orleans’s historic Uptown district. The project combined luxury design with strict budget and schedule requirements. Distinctive window openings and architectural details demanded precision throughout construction.
SLS Building Systems manufactured prefabricated load-bearing CFS wall panels for the hotel’s upper four floors. The design incorporated a structural steel podium at the ground floor. Howick’s FRAMA 5600 and FRAMA 3200 roll-forming machines produced the framing components.
The project team fabricated each panel offsite, shipped it to the jobsite and installed it with six workers. The lean installation crew maintained the accelerated construction schedule throughout the project.
Composite metal deck and load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) wall panels support Hotel Henrietta’s accelerated construction schedule.
Digital Design Drives Precision
The project team coordinated the framing using Autodesk Revit and Graitec Strucsoft software. The digital workflow connected directly with the roll-forming equipment. It labeled and tracked every framing component for precise manufacturing.
The integrated workflow helped maintain quality throughout fabrication and installation. It also ensured custom window rough openings matched the design intent without rework.
Delivering Measurable Results
Hotel Henrietta demonstrates how offsite CFS framing can accelerate hospitality construction without sacrificing quality. Prefabrication reduced onsite labor, shortened the construction schedule and minimized field adjustments. The owner and general contractor, both new to panelization, recognized the project’s quality and performance.
Hotel Henrietta finished 4-months ahead of schedule using panelized cold-formed steel (CFS) framing.
Read the full case study from Howick.
About Howick
Howick Ltd. manufactures precision roll-forming machines and technology for cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. The company has developed roll-forming systems for nearly 50 years. Today, construction companies in more than 80 countries use Howick's technology to manufacture CFS framing components. Howick designs and manufactures its roll-forming systems at its facility in Auckland, New Zealand. The company also sources components from local suppliers and manufactures many parts in-house. For more information about Howick, visit www.howickltd.com. Howick is a member of the Steel Framing Industry Association.
Additional Resources
- SFIA Member Howick’s Steel-Framing Tech Cuts Labor Hours by 50% to 70%, CEO Says
- New Whiteboard Video Series Unlocks 5 Advantages of Cold-Formed Steel Framing
- Update #14: Cold-Formed Steel for Student Housing, Urban Redevelopment and Municipal Projects