Located in the redeveloped Hayden Tract neighborhood in Culver City, California, this three-floor office building offers about 25,000 sf of office and amenity spaces, as well as a variety of sustainable and energy-efficient components. Situated in a former industrial zone that has become a technology and corporate hub, Del Amo Construction has completed the adaptive reuse of 3516 Schaefer St and has been given the top Gold award in the commercial office category by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Dezeen reports, “Chinese studio Open Architecture has revealed the visuals for the new Yichang Grand Theatre in China, which will have an amorphous form intended to evoke flowing water.”
The 70,000 square-meter theatre will be located at the Pinghu Peninsula in Hubei Province, at a site where the Yangtze River meets the Huangbai River tributary.
To achieve these design goals, curved, matte anodized aluminum tubes will be used on the building’s outer surface.
The metal construction industry is the sum of many parts, an integral one being welding. Since 1996, the American Welding Society has designated the month of April as National Welding Month to bring awareness to the welding industry and its available career paths. This year’s theme, “Be Part of The Future of Welding,” celebrates the industry’s vast and diverse welding community. With welding and other skilled trades continuing to see labor shortages, it is more important than ever to bring awareness to the importance of this industry.
“Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks …” For many, this past weekend meant the opening of baseball parks around the country for the official start of the 2023 Major League Baseball season. “America’s favorite pastime” is more than just the sport, it’s the experience of being in and “part of” the stadium. Thanks to an article from Steel Specialties, Inc, here’s a look at the “steel foundation” of some of America’s most beloved baseball stadiums, and what goes into building one of these beauties, the oldest being Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox since its opening in 1912.
According to Storeganize, “The self storage industry, currently valued at $54 billion, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.53% between 2022 and 2027 to hit a whopping $83.6 billion at the end of the forecast period, with the North American market is projected to contribute the largest chunk of this figure.” Given this projected demand, how will communities maintain their aesthetics as green space or older buildings give way to these typically nondescript, linear, modular looking buildings? Take a look at this MCA Case Study where metal roofing and wall panels achieve a desired aesthetic for a visible self-storage facility in a southern Californian town.
Published earlier this month, the results from MCN’s 42 Annual Contractor Survey show “2022 was a year of steady work but not much growth.” Editorial Director, Paul Deffenbaugh comments, “If you wanted to sum up the overall attitude among respondents, you would use this phrase: ‘hold the course, and hope for better.'” Across all the project types surveyed — metal building systems, metal roofing, metal wall panels, and light-gauge steel framing — the survey takers who report they do those kinds of projects remained relatively flat in 2022 compared to 2021.
Regardless, Paul says, “One of the hallmarks of the construction industry and contractors in particular is their abiding optimism.” While numbers were relatively flat between 2021 and 2022, the same survey respondents report optimism toward 2023. With the exception of metal building systems, respondents anticipate being more involved in specific projects, especially with metal roofing and metal wall panels, than they had been in 2022.
Thanks to our friends at DrexelMetals and the MetalCoffeeShop®, this recent article highlights the limitless design potential of curved metal roofing panels. With the advent of innovative production methods like on-site roll forming, constructing curved roofs has become a more straightforward practice. Not only do metal roofing panels simplify the installation process, but they also provide a weather-tight solution for curved roofing. Discover how these features translate into versatile building designs and learn about the innovative ways in which curved metal roofing panels are being utilized today. Read on for three examples of the versatile power.
The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has announced its annual Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS²) Award winners for 2023. These awards are the industry’s most prestigious design honor, recognizing projects that illustrate the exciting possibilities of building with structural steel and highlighting the many ways steel can help express architectural intent while harnessing its unique advantages for both simple and complex structural systems. This year’s winners are a mix of adaptive reuse and brand-new structures.
AISC President Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD., says, “I love how this year’s winners not only use steel to create modern masterpieces but also take full advantage of steel’s unique ability to give a second life to structures that would otherwise be demolished.” Winners are listed below, separated into the categories of “Less than $15 million,” “$15 – $75 million,” “$75 to $200 million,” and “Greater than $200 million.”
The American Institute of Steel Construction’s (AISC) annual Forge Prize competition celebrates emerging architects who create visionary designs that embrace steel as the primary structural component while exploring ways to increase project speed. AISC recently announced the three finalists, who will each take home $5,000 from the first round, will now have the opportunity to work with a steel fabricator before presenting their final concepts to the judges during a live YouTube event in late March. The winner will take home a $10,000 grand prize and be invited to present before an audience of the industry’s best minds at NASCC: The Steel Conference in April.
Designed by Studio Libeskind, the extension to the Royal Ontario Museum, located in downtown Toronto, truly represents the versatility of how the use of metal can bring art and design to life. Now almost five years now since the extension opened, the ROM is considered the largest Museum in Canada and attracts more than a million visitors a year. It’s new name “Michael Lee-Chin Crystal,” is derived from the building’s five intersecting metal-clad volumes, reminiscent of crystals were inspired by the crystalline forms in the Museum’s mineralogy galleries.
MBMA Chair Tom Boal says, “2022 has seen tremendous growth in the industry despite ongoing supply chain, labor and pricing challenges. With the need for metal building systems growing, MBMA continues to lead the industry through advocacy, working with building officials and steel suppliers, and providing educational resources.”
As the new year begins, we travel around the world to look at some exciting projects planned to open this year as compiled by ArchDaily, ranging in scale and program, from international airports to sculptural arts galleries or museum expansions. With a mix of cultural and commercial programs, the designs are located across five continents, with many under construction for multiple years. While all of the projects listed are incredible on so many levels, we’ve highlighted few stand-outs as to their use of metal to accomplish the unique design goals of the project.
According to Construction Dive, “The industry will continue to face labor shortages, high materials costs and other headwinds, but infrastructure will be a bright spot.” Top construction economists say much like in 2022, signals are mixed. In a recent article, they took a look at five key indicators and what they suggest for contractors in the year ahead.
Recognized by Architectural Digest as a 2022 Work of Wonder, this winning project also won first place in the 2022 MCA Design Awards for the Single-Skin Metal Wall Panel category, as announced at METALCON in October. Spanning 250 feet over an active railyard, the Park Union Pedestrian Bridge in Colorado Springs, Colorado, connects visitors to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum with America the Beautiful Park. According to the MCA Design Award judges, “This pedestrian, bike, and wheelchair-friendly bridge looks like a sculpture, truly an outstanding level of craftsmanship.”
Winning first place in the custom ornamental category in the MCA Design Awards for Excellence in Metal Architecture, the Metal Construction Association recognized member company, MG McGrath, last month at METALCON ’22. MG McGrath fabricated and installed an impressive 5,000 square feet of plate paneling in a Simply White Kynar finish for the store’s facade.
Last month at METALCON, Paul Deffenbaugh, editorial director of Metal Construction News, moderated a state of the industry panel featuring Tony Bouquot, general manager of the Metal Builders Manufacturers Association (MBMA); Jennifer Heimburger, president of the Metal Builders Contractors & Erectors Association (MBCEA); Chuck Howard, long-time industry veteran and president of Metal Roof Consultants; and Alan Scott, FAIA, registered architect and sustainability practitioner with Intertek. They discussed supply chain issues, rising costs, the labor shortage and workforce development.
With the recent passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom’s longest-reigning monarch, we take a look at the impact of her reign over the architectural style of buildings in London over the past 70 years. ArchDaily’s “The Architectural Legacy of Queen Elizabeth’s 70 Year Reign,” reflects upon her legacy in terms of culture, technology, and architecture.
When she first came to the throne in 1952, according to The Guardian, the tallest building in Britain was St Paul’s Cathedral. Today, London’s skyline is marked by glass and steel office towers, many measuring over 500 feet in height, marking an end to low-rise buildings being one of the city’s trademarks.
According to the article, “Through the decades, Modernism marked the postwar period in England, with its variation, Brutalism, being the prevailing architectural style for new housing estates in Britain throughout the 1970s. The 1980s brought a slow down of Britain’s investment in public and social buildings, thus the influence of the state upon the architectural agenda also diminished … the statement architecture of private capital came to influence the image of UK’s development. Glass and steel towers now define the appearance not only in London, but in many of the UK’s major cities. New monuments like Norman Foster’s The Gherkin or Renzo Piano’s The Shard have little to no connection to England’s architectural traditions but instead aim to create a globally recognizable image and stimulate local economic growth. There is no linear stylistic development, but representative buildings have taken cues from the High-Tech movement in the 1990s, as exemplified by Lloyd’s building in London, Post-Modernism, in the case of Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery, designed by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, or Deconstructivism, as in Daniel Libeskind’s Imperial War Museum North.”
London skyline overlooking the Thames from The Globe Theatre; Photo Credit: Nancy Reilly
While overseeing the architectural landscape of the city was not the monarch’s primary obligation, it will be hard for architectural communities and historians to overlook Queen Elizabeth II’s impact and legacy over the past 70 years. The article states, “Whereas the Queen’s forbears sealed their legacies by commissioning cities, palaces, and cathedrals, the Queen has been discreet in expressing interest in directly influencing the built environment. It might be a little early to assess it. Still, maybe in the future, with the added benefit of hindsight, we might appreciate Elizabeth II’s era as one of progress, innovation, and constantly improving quotidian comforts.”
For a deeper dive into the relationship of architecture and metal and its impact on cities and communities, we invite you to join us next month for The Architect’s Experience at METALCON, a “show-within-a-show” produced in partnership with AECDaily, offering design professionals an intimate look at how metal can help you solve your toughest architectural, structural, environmental, and building performance challenges. METALCON ’22 takes place October 12-14 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The program features founding principal of Building Science Corporation, Dr. Joe Lstiburek, who will delve into the world of energy flow with his keynote address, “There’s No Such Thing as a Free Thermodynamic Lunch – How Changing Energy Flow Changes Everything.” In addition, get a special architects-only guided tour of the show floor, exclusive networking opportunities with key manufacturers of metal products, and the opportunity to earn up to 19 AIA LU’s including 12 HSWs with 25+ expert-led education sessions curated for design professionals.
It doesn’t get bigger than this! Learn directly from the man responsible for the development and publication of the AISI S250 standard during this FREE webinar happening tomorrow, September 7, at 1:00 pm. Join Jonathan Humble, regional director of construction codes and standards for the American Iron and Steel Institute, as he introduces and clarifies AISI S250, North American Standard for Thermal Transmittance of Building Envelopes with Cold-Formed Steel Framing.
As METALCON prepares to “roar” into Indianapolis, known for the greatest spectacle in motor racing, MMM takes a look at the transformed Petersen Museum, inspired by the form of a car. A true showcase of the versatility of metal in design, the renewed image for the museum captures the art, experience, culture and heritage of the automobile. Located on Museum Row on Los Angeles’ famed Miracle Mile, the remodeled museum building was designed by architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), and is intended to convey speed and motion. The “Hot Rod red” building has an overlay of 308 steel ribbon sections and features three floors of themed galleries displaying automotive art and artifacts, as well as more than 100 vehicles, 23 motorcycles, a few scooters and a bobsled.
Congratulations to the Arbogast Performing Arts Center in Troy, Ohio, for being selected as the recipient of the 2022 Building of the Year as announced by the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) at their annual meeting.
MBCEA’s 2022 Building of the Year, the Arbogast Performing Arts Center in Troy, OH
According to DesignandBuildwithMetal, “Foundation Steel, LLC located in Swanton, OH, served as the building erector on the 41,000-square-foot community arts center. BlueScope Construction, Kansas City, MO served as the broker and Brentwood Builders Inc., Cedarville, OH, as the construction manager. The building was manufactured by Butler Manufacturing of Kansas City, MO.
Last month, Metal Roofing Magazine announced the 2022 Metal of Honor Award winners. Now in their 18th year of the program, the awards were created to allow metal roofing installers an opportunity to honor companies who help them most by providing quality products and excellent service. METALCON is proud to welcome nearly 60% of these winning companies to METALCON ’22, scheduled for October 12-14 in Indianapolis. By attending, you can see their products and learn first-hand what makes these companies winning suppliers.
Steel manufacturing trade groups lauded the news that the new Infrastructure Bill includes a provision stating all iron and steel used in projects outlined in the bill must be produced in the United States. Metal Center News reported this week, “The guidance further requires all manufactured products in the project must be produced domestically. The product itself must be manufactured here, and the components of the product must represent 55 percent or more of the total cost of the product. All construction materials must also be manufactured in the U.S.”
According to a White House memo, projects funded by the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package must only use iron and steel produced in the U.S starting May 14. The requirement includes all manufacturing processes for the metals, from initial melting stage thru application of coatings. The announcement also includes a process to waive those requirements if domestic materials are not reasonably available or would raise the cost of the project by more than 25%. (Source: Construction Dive)
“This course provided me with a better understanding of the safety related intricacies in metal building construction.” – Steve Wykoff, TKS Contracting
Back by popular demand, the inaugural METALFOCUS® Safety Program is available ONLINE for you to use as a valuable training tool for you and your employees. Safety is a priority for every metal business but how do you prove it to your employees, your customers and your insurance company? How do you ensure your entire team is aware of the latest metal safety rules, tools, trends and techniques to avoid costly or potentially fatal accidents? This series of 10 one-hour virtual courses goes beyond traditional OSHA-10 safety training to address situations that are unique to metal job-sites.
All 10 METALFOCUS training courses are now available for you or your staff to access On-Demand. Each course earns you 1 AIA HSW LU and certificate. Earn 10 AIA HSW LU Credits by taking the full program!
While this forum is typically told in a “third-party voice,” every once in a while, I share from a personal experience. Last week, I had the unique and awe-inspiring opportunity to visit NASA’s Kennedy Space Center located on Merritt Island in Florida. While the use of metal and steel is abundant throughout the entire center, I was particular struck by the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB — the iconic facility which serves as the central hub of NASA’s premier multi-user spaceport, capable of hosting several different kinds of rockets and spacecraft at the same time — and constructed from over 98,000 tons of steel!
The VAB’s frame is constructed from 98,590 tons of steel. It stands atop a support base of 4,225 steel pilings driven 164 feet into bedrock.
Big Air Shougang is lit up at Shougang Park (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Last month NPR reported, “Pre-2000s Beijing included an entire district dedicated to Shougang, or Capital Steelworks, with its smelting furnaces emerging through the industrial smog like a steampunk vision.” While steel is still an important industry for China, the pollution and noise was too much for a large city like Beijing so Shougang was officially closed in 2010. Instead of demolishing it, China chose to clean it up, renovate it and repurpose the mill site. It is now the setting for Big Air Shougang, arguably the most unique venue of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Today we honor Martin Luther King Jr. In our “world of metal,” we explore the monuments and sculptures made of different mediums that can be visited around the United States that play homage to this prolific leader. As compiled by AARP, top ten unique MLK Memorials include:
November 2022 will bring the most prestigious sporting tournament to Doha, Qatar, and all eyes will be on Stadium 974, the innovative 40,000-seat venue and first fully demountable tournament venue in FIFA World Cup™ history. Its design is inspired by Qatar’s worldwide trade and seafaring with “974” being the region’s international dialing code, as well as the exact number of shipping containers used in construction.
As announced last month in METALCON’s inaugural Metal in Architecture design and construction project photo competition, the Gotca Group received the award in the “interior” category for their work done on the Museum of Tomorrow.
Opened in 2015 as a new icon of the modernization of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro’s harbor, the Museum of Tomorrow was born in the Praça Mauá as a science museum meant to explore, imagine, and conceive all the possibilities for constructing the future. The Museum of Tomorrow, or Museu do Amanhã to locals, serves as an innovative cultural space addressing the future of the planet was designed by renowned Spanish architect, engineer and artist Santiago Calatrava.
State-of-the-art, eight-screen movie theater in Elizabeth City, N.C.; Ceco Building Systems
The unique combination of energy efficiency provided by the insulated wall panels’ superior R-values and the versatile design options of various colors, orientations, and depths led to the selection of insulated metal wall panels for this new $10 million, state-of-the-art 31,820-square-foot movie complex.
Metal made the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health located in Las Vegas one of the most remarkable metal construction projects in recent history, draped and wrapped with a “mountainous metal-clad skin, faced in shingled panels and punctured with a grid of windows,” states Architect Magazine. The amazing building was designed by none other than Frank Gehry, who has truly “reinvented the art of metal cladding.” Now 92, Gehry has work spanning decades, perhaps most known for the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain.
METALCON Blog 