Featured image: Chicken N Pickle entertainment complex in Websters, Texas, features cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Images courtesy of ClarkDietrich.
Chicken N Pickle recently completed a 70,000-square-foot entertainment complex in Webster, Texas, featuring six indoor and two outdoor covered pickleball courts. The project incorporated cold-formed steel (CFS) framing, which was handled by Baker Drywall. The CFS framing included unpunched studs that eliminated the need for cold-rolled channel in short-span areas—demonstrating efficient material use. Innovative design modifications introduced value engineering solutions that improved both construction efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Sustainability and green building practices were also implemented where feasible, supporting the project’s environmental goals.
ClarkDietrich, a member of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), provided the CFS framing systems for the Chicken N Pickle project.
ClarkDietrich supplied the cold-formed steel (CFS) framing systems for the Chicken N Pickle in Texas.
ClarkDietrich submitted the Chicken N Pickle project as an entry in the SFIA 2024 Industry Project Awards. This annual competition recognizes excellence in CFS manufacturing and construction, drawing entries from designers, manufacturers, distributors and contractors showcasing innovative and impactful projects.
Design Quality
Did this project make efficient use of metal framing products?
This project effectively utilized CFS products, such as using unpunched studs to eliminate cold rolled channel in short span areas, showcasing efficient utilization. Value engineering solutions were integrated into the project through innovative design modifications that enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness. While not a LEED project, sustainability and green building practices were considered and implemented where feasible.
Value engineering was applied through innovative design modifications that improved both efficiency and cost-effectiveness throughout the project.
Installation Complexity
What difficulties existed on the project?
The installation, which was handled by Baker Drywall, was primarily standard, requiring no special means or methods for execution. Installation conflicts were successfully resolved, particularly in areas with numerous windows lacking steel for necessary supports, which required adjustments to headers and jam studs. Specialized equipment was used for challenging tasks like installing 38’ span studs for the upper level, working within a tight 10-day schedule and adapting smaller members on-site to meet specific project requirements.
The installation by Baker Drywall followed standard procedures, with adjustments made to headers and jamb studs to address support issues in areas with numerous windows.
Manufacturing Complexity
Were special materials involved?
Custom size products were tailored on-site to meet project demands and tight schedules, ensuring seamless integration within unique areas of the building. The project followed a stick-built construction approach. Specialized material sourcing was crucial, with materials directly procured from manufacturers in both long and short lengths to meet the project’s unique specifications.
Custom products were made on-site to meet tight deadlines and fit unique spaces, with direct material sourcing in varied lengths supporting the stick-built approach.
Overall Job Quality
How did the completed system turn out?
The completed system achieved exceptional alignment, finish, and fulfillment of the design intent, showcasing high-quality workmanship even under an extremely tight schedule that ensured timely completion for the grand opening event.
Chicken n Pickle
Webster, Texas
Details: 24 tons of cold-formed steel (CFS) used on the project
PEOPLE
Owner
Chicken N PickleArchitect
Yaeger ArchitectureEngineering Firm
BSE Structural Engineers LLCGeneral Contractor
KEY ConstructionSpecialty Framing Contractor
Baker DrywallCold-Formed Steel Provider
ClarkDietrich
SFIA Industry Project Awards
The SFIA 2024 Industry Project Awards focus on cold-formed steel (CFS) manufacturing and construction. A panel of industry representatives judged all 2024 SFIA Awards entries based on the following criteria:
- Design Quality, such as the efficient and sustainable use of CFS products
- Installation Complexity, focusing on conflict resolution, timeframe challenges, etc.
- Manufacturing Complexity, including custom orders, panelization, special material sourcing and more
- Overall Job Quality, including the quality of alignments, finishes and other attention to detail
- Conversion from Alternative Framing Material, reflecting how steel framing lowered a structure’s weight, or added stories, or helped lower the project’s builders’ risk insurance, etc.
About SFIA
The Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), a unique organization representing steel mills, coil coaters, stud and connector manufacturers, component fabricators, Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) members, suppliers/distributors, contractors and others, provides members with exclusive access to technical cold-formed steel (CFS) framing services, including CFS certification, environmental product declarations, market data and analysis, technical design guides, specification review services, architectural services, the Steel Framing Learning Portal , the SFIA Awards and more. SFIA is an accredited ANSI Standards Development Organization. Follow SFIA on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Additional Resources
- SFIA Unveils 9 Winners of the 2024 Industry Project Awards
- SFIA Reveals 7 Winners of the 2023 Industry Project Awards in Online Ceremony
- Designers: Update to SFIA’s 2024 Tech Guide for the Latest CFS Load and Span Tables