SFIA Unveils 9 Winners of the 2024 Industry Project Awards

On December 3, 2024, in a live awards ceremony held online, Don Allen, executive director of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), announced the 9 project winners of the 2024 SFIA Industry Project Awards. The “SFIA Awards” recognize excellence in the use of SFIA-certified cold-formed steel (CFS) products, which have passed physical tests for mechanical properties, coatings and manufactured dimensions and thus represent the “top tier” in steel framing manufacturing and construction excellence.

“We had amazing participation this year, our second year,” Allen said during the SFIA Awards ceremony. “We’re proud of all the participants, and we celebrate with the winners.”

1. Low-Rise Project: South Valley Drywall for the Bloom Exhibit at the Children’s Museum, Denver, Colorado
2. Unique Use: T.J. Wies Contracting for BJC Phase III Modular Package, St. Louis, Missouri
3. Sustainable Project: ClarkDietrich for the Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, California
4. Conversion from Another Material: ADTEK Engineers for the Locker Rooms at Wagner College, Staten Island, New York
5. Architectural Design Detail: The Raymond Group for 8th & Figueroa, Los Angeles, California
6. Mid-Rise Project: ADTEK Engineers for Fairfax Market Mixed-Use, Cleveland, Ohio
7. High-Rise Project: CEMCO for Alloy, Los Angeles, California
8. Best Non-Load-Bearing Application: ADTEK Engineers for VWGoA (Volkswagen Headquarters), Reston, Virginia
9. Efficient Use of CFS Framing: CEMCO for the Wynkoop Project, Denver, Colorado

More information on each winning project will be posted soon on BuildSteel.org. Check back regularly.

The 2024 SFIA Industry Project Awards focus on CFS manufacturing and construction. The awards program is a complement to the Design Excellence and Creative Detail Awards governed by the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI).

1. South Valley Drywall

Bloom Exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Denver, Denver, Colorado

Low-Rise Project: The museum’s design team had a vision of a whimsical garden to provide an immersive space for little ones and newborns. In order to take the vision from rendering to reality, South Valley Drywall leveraged the BIM model and used a robotic total station to layout the multi-dimensional space. Followed by prefabricating framing members to successfully build a multi-axis and whimsical design. SFIA members ClarkDietrich and Frontier Drywall Supply were also involved in this project.

Flower Power Peeks-a-Boo! lets little ones crawl, hide and climb through the flower pot. Photo courtesy of South Valley

Learn more about this project.

2. T.J. Wies Contracting

BJC Phase III Modular Package, St. Louis, Missouri

Unique Use: The 2024 SFIA Award judges were impressed with this prefabrication project, which used cold-formed steel (CFS) in a way they had not seen before. Owned by Barnes Jewish Healthcare, the BJC Phase III Modular Package featured modular bathroom pods engineered to support their own weight, with full tile, as they were hoisted in place. The entire modular package was built offsite. All current onsite conditions had to be taken into consideration when delivering. The installation team at T.J. Wies Contracting, Inc. had to use the lowest profile carts to support the weight and avoid the previously installed overhead MEPs. SFIA members ClarkDietrich and Negwer Materials were also involved in this project.

TJ Wies organized 277 bathroom pods and 224 headwalls for just-in-time delivery to the BJC Phase III job site. Photo courtesy of T.J. Wies

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3. ClarkDietrich

Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, California

Sustainable Project: Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, showcases cutting-edge sustainability and efficient construction. Developed by Oak View Group with Populous as the architect and AECOM/Hunt as the general contractor, the 300,000-square-foot, low-rise arena emphasizes sustainability with cold-formed steel (CFS) solutions and advanced insulation methods. The project used 471 tons of ClarkDietrich CFS to maximize strength-to-weight ratios, incorporating a weather and air barrier system and 2.5” foam EIFS to enhance energy efficiency. The arena achieved exceptional quality with net-zero carbon certified by the International Living Institute.

The Acrisure Arena features cold-formed steel (CFS) with net-zero carbon certified by the International Living Institute. Photo courtesy of ClarkDietrich

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4. ADTEK Engineers

Proposed Locker Rooms – Wagner College, Staten Island, New York

Conversion from Another Material: The Wagner College locker room project in Staten Island, New York, exemplifies the innovative use of cold-formed steel (CFS) in modern construction. The project involved ADTEK Engineers, Inc. converting initial designs from wood framing to CFS, optimizing weight and performance. Spanning 11,219 square feet across two stories, the structure used 55.88 tons of CFS for roof rafters, floor joists and load-bearing walls. Proprietary joist systems with large punch-outs reduced weight — and labor — enhancing efficiency. Custom CFS elements addressed complex design and load requirements, including tightly spaced openings and unique roof slopes. SFIA members Simpson Strong-Tie and Super Stud Building Products were also involved in this project.

Cold-formed steel (CFS) was used instead of wood as roof rafters, floor joists and load-bearing walls at Wagner College. Photo courtesy of ADTEK Engineers

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5. The Raymond Group

8th & Figueroa, Los Angeles, California

Architectural Design Detail: The 8th & Figueroa project, a 42-story apartment tower in Los Angeles, demonstrates groundbreaking use of cold-formed steel (CFS). Led by The Raymond Group, the projected used 815 tons of CFS, including for a perimeter roof cornice installed with innovative prefabrication methods. Notable features include a stunning waterfall staircase in the lobby, requiring months of meticulous planning and collaboration. The project prioritized safety and efficiency, with nearly 160,000 hours worked without incident. By leveraging CFS’s strength-to-weight ratio and employing value-engineered solutions, the team delivered a LEED®-certified building that redefines architectural and construction excellence.

The grand staircase at 8th & Figueroa is a unique use of cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Photo courtesy of The Raymond Group

Learn more about this project.

6. ADTEK Engineers

Fairfax Market Mixed-Use, Cleveland, Ohio

Mid-Rise Project: The Fairfax Market mixed-use project in Cleveland, Ohio, is a six-story, 155,000-square-foot mid-rise development featuring innovative use of cold-formed steel (CFS). Originally planned as a wood-framed structure, ADTEK Engineers, Inc. converted the design to CFS to enhance construction speed and safety. The project employed panelized CFS walls, lightweight trusses and custom joist systems, enabling efficient load management and greater spans. The CFS elements also supported heavy rooftop equipment, such as window washing anchors, while incorporating a combination of concrete and masonry shear walls for lateral force resistance. The project’s robust design and construction methods resulted in a high-quality build that met all design intents. SFIA members Howick Ltd. and Simpson Strong-Tie were also involved in this project.

The Fairfax Market Mixed-Use features interior cold-formed steel (CFS) bearing walls with opening and continuous trusses. Photo courtesy of ADTEK Engineers

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7. CEMCO

Alloy, Los Angeles, California

High-Rise Project: The Alloy project, a 35-story high-rise in Los Angeles, showcases the innovative use of cold-formed steel (CFS) for both structural and aesthetic design. Submitted by CEMCO, this 1,000,000-square-foot development highlights both load-bearing and non-load-bearing CFS applications, including intricate radius and asymmetrical column designs. By substituting poured concrete with CFS, the project achieved significant cost and time savings, while reducing building weight and expediting construction. The framing features radiused elements on walls and ceilings, fulfilling the architect’s vision. Awarded LEED® certification, the project also used custom radius tracks and angles requiring installation complexity. The result is a structurally sound, visually striking and environmentally conscious addition to Los Angeles.

The Alloy high rise project features an interesting use of non-load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) in various radius configurations. Photo courtesy of CEMCO

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8. ADTEK Engineers

VWGoA (Volkswagen Headquarters), Reston, Virginia

Best Non-Load-Bearing Application: The VWGoA headquarters project in Reston, Virginia, made impressive use of cold-formed steel (CFS). Designed by Gentler and engineered by Thornton Tomasetti and ADTEK Engineers, Inc., the renovation spanned 168,000 square feet across floors 14-20 of an existing 20-story building. ADTEK Engineers created curved architectural elements, which included raised floors, soffits and clerestory partitions. The installation faced challenges due to the post-tensioned slabs, but innovative techniques like ground-penetrating radar and proprietary framing solutions enabled precise construction. The project maximized CFS’s strength-to-weight ratio while meeting LEED standards, delivering exceptional interior quality and design fulfillment. SFIA members C.J. Coakley Co., Inc., ClarkDietrich, L&W Supply and Simpson Strong-Tie were also involved in this project.

The Volkswagen Headquarters features an impressive use of non-load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Photo courtesy of ADTEK Engineers

Learn more about this project.

9. CEMCO

The Wynkoop Project, Denver, Colorado

Efficient Use of CFS Framing: The Wynkoop Project in Denver, Colorado, showcases exceptional efficiency in CEMCO cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Spanning 16 stories and 130,000 square feet, this high-rise employed advanced prefabrication techniques. Through panelization, the project used lighter, single-story panels to optimize material usage, achieving cost and time savings. Custom-engineered solutions, such as CFS lifting clips and mid-slab joints, eliminated welding and heavy steel components, enhancing installation speed. Additionally, special connection details for post-tensioned concrete streamlined the workflow, allowing concurrent interior and exterior construction. the 2024 SFIA Awards judges praised the project’s comprehensive documentation and its role as a model for future cost-effective CFS applications. SFIA member The Steel Network, Inc. (TSN) was also involved in this project.

The Wynkoop Project made efficient use of prefabricated cold-formed steel (CFS) framing for the building’s exterior envelope. Photo courtesy of CEMCO

Learn more about this project.

Additional Resources

• Designers: Update to SFIA’s 2024 Tech Guide for the Latest CFS Load and Span Tables
• SFIA Receives ANSI Accreditation, Assumes Management of CFS Framing Standards
• SFIA’s Steel Framing Learning Portal Has Metal Framing Education (24/7/365)
• Again, Who Says It Is More Sustainable to Build With Wood Than Steel?