Canadian Institute of Steel Construction Announces National Steel Design
Award Winners

Recipients recognized for outstanding design, construction and innovation

KANANASKIS, AB, June 14 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) is proud to announce the CISC-ICCA National Steel Design Awards winners presented at the 80th CISC Annual General Meeting. Nearly 100 projects competed and were evaluated for recognition of outstanding design, construction and innovation from the steel industry with six winners from the 16 showcased project submissions selected in the architecture, engineering and sustainability categories.

"The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction advances steel design and safety, as well as the efficient, economical and sustainable use of structural steel, particularly where steel is integrated with other building materials such as wood, glass and concrete." said Rob Third, Chair of CISC's National Awards Committee. "This National Awards event shares and recognizes steel design and innovation excellence as well as generating awareness of the advantages of steel in construction across Canada, by showcasing the excellent architects and engineers we have in our country."

In the architecture category, which recognizes structures where architectural considerations predominantly influenced the design of the structure, the winner of the Award of Excellence was the Cammilla & Peter Dalglish Atrium, Royal Botanical Gardens, located in Burlington, Ontario. This project's inventive use of steel framing allowed the structure to achieve long spans and permits an abundance of natural light. The Water Centre, located in Calgary, Alberta, received an Award of Merit.

In the engineering category, which highlights structures, buildings, bridges and process plants in which engineering considerations predominantly influenced the design and construction of the structure, the winner of the Award of Excellence was the Richmond Speed Skating Oval, located in Richmond, British Columbia. This project is a very innovative marriage of two building materials; steel and wood, which created the longest hybrid arches in the world. The transformation of the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), located in Toronto received an Award of Merit.

In the sustainability category, with structures selected in cases where steel has been re-used, recycled or used as part of a sustainable development project (LEED certification), the winner of the Award of Excellence was the University of Alberta - Triffo Hall, located in Edmonton. The LEED Platinum rating is an impressive status, as well as the elegant exposed steel connections and the project's low impact to the environment. The Legendre Garage and Body Shop built for the Montreal Transport Commission received an Award of Merit.

Steel is the world's most recycled construction material; often achieving over 90% recycled content. It is continually recovered for re-use and fed back into the production of new steel without any loss of quality providing a greener, more cost effective solution for structures.

CISC-ICCA National Steel Design Awards

The goal of the Awards event is to share and recognize steel design and innovation excellence - promote awareness of the advantages of steel in construction and create networking opportunities for CISC members, partners and clients. Projects are entered in the Architecture, Engineering, and Sustainability awards categories.

Architecture

Award of Excellence

    
    Cammilla & Peter Dalglish Atrium, Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington ON
    Architect: Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc.
    Structural Engineer: Halcrow Yolles
    Owner: Royal Botanical Gardens
    Project Manager: MHPM Project Managers Inc.
    General Contractor: Ira McDonald Construction
    CISC Fabricator and Detailer: Central Steel Fabricators Ltd.
    

The project capitalizes on the intrinsic qualities of steel to enhance the building's design, fulfilling both program requirements and the client's ambition to create a highly transparent space. Structural steel framing allows art and function to merge in order to fulfill design ambitions. Long steel spans result in a glass enclosed building that visually recalls a green house aesthetic.

Award of Merit

    
    The Water Centre, Calgary AB
    Architect: Sturgess Architecture / Manasc Isaac Architects
    Structural Engineer: Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd.
    Owner: City of Calgary
    General Contractor: Dominion Construction
    

About 700,000 kg of reinforcing steel went into the construction of this distinctive building, with most of the structural materials left exposed. The most notable use of steel was cladding the unique five-storey curved envelope that arches over the building like a giant cresting wave. The design of maximizes the amount of natural light within this 160-metre-long, 20-metre-wide, and four-storey high building.

Engineering

Award of Excellence

    
    Richmond Speed Skating Oval, Richmond B.C.
    Architect: Cannon Design
    Structural Engineer: Fast + Epp Engineers
    Owner: City of Richmond
    General Contractor: Dominion Fairmile Construction
    Project Directors: MHPM Project managers
    CISC Fabricator: George Third & Son Ltd.
    CISC Steel Detailer: Tru-Line Drafting
    Construction Engineering: Somerset Engineering
    CISC Steel Erector: KWH Constructors
    

The arches for the Olympic Oval are the longest spanning hybrid steel-wood arches in the world. Spanning 100m, the arches are strengthened by a 10mm thick steel blade on the bottom edge, with W150 steel beams and 25mm thick steel plates strengthening the top. The steel beams rise off the pine beetle wood slabs at both ends to create a raised roof and cantilever overhangs.

Award of Merit

    
    Art Gallery of Ontario Transformation, Toronto ON
    Architect: Gehry International
    Structural Engineer: Halcrow Yolles
    Owner: Art Gallery of Ontario
    General Contractor: Ellis Don Corporation
    CISC Detailer, Erector & Fabricator of Main Structure: Benson Steel Ltd.
    CISC Fabricators of Stair Structure: Mariani Metal Fabricators Ltd.
    

Through a patchwork of visions and creativity, the AGO underwent a transformation which added 97,000ft(2) to the 100-year-old building. Public space and galleries were expanded and overhauled to facilitate powerful connections between art and people in groundbreaking ways. The strategic use of steel helped realize many of the buildings striking features.

Sustainability

    
    Award of Excellence
    University of Alberta - Triffo Hall, Edmonton AB
    Owner: Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd.
    Architect: Johns Group2 Architecture Engineering Ltd.
    Structural Engineer: Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd.
    General Contractor: Binder Construction Limited
    

Triffo Hall is an example of the adage "What was old is new again". Undergoing numerous changes since 1915, Triffo Hall was restored back to its original design. It was very important to use the steel and leave it exposed, retaining the steel trusses that supported the roof and clerestory and making them visible by removing the existing ceiling systems.

Award of Merit

    
    Legendre Garage and Body Shop, Montreal, Quebec
    Owner: Montreal Transport Corporation
    Architect: Provencher Roy et Associés architectes
    Structural Engineer: Pasquin St-Jean & Associés Inc.
    General Contractor: Pomerleau Inc.
    CISC Steel Fabricator: Quirion Metal Inc.
    CISC Steel Fabricator: Canam Canada
    Steel Detailer: Genifab Inc.
    

To expand the Legendre Garage and build the new bus Body Shop of the Montreal Transport Corporation, an environmentally friendly approach was taken. The steel was chosen to integrate several green features, including the large spans which facilitate the circulation of the new fleet of articulated buses of the MTC and hence save CO2 emissions during occupancy.

About the Industry and CISC (www.cisc-icca.ca)

Founded in 1930, the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction represents fabricators, detailers and suppliers of structural steel, open web steel joists and platework. The CISC promotes the use and benefits of steel in construction, adds value to the construction and design community and supports the needs of its membership and industry through education and training, research and development, industry codes and standards, certification, and advocacy. The CISC is Canada's voice for the steel construction industry, providing leadership in design and construction efficiency, quality and innovation. It encourages the sustainable, efficient and economical use of structural steel in construction. The steel construction industry in Canada has annual sales totalling $5 billion. CISC members are responsible for approximately 75 per cent of the economic activity of the steel construction sector.

For further information: Laird Greenshields, Morin Public Relations, Cell Phone: [phone]; Sources: Canadian Institute of Steel Construction: Ed Whalen, President, CISC; Rob Third, Chairman, National Steel Design Awards Committee, CISC; Sylvie Boulanger, Quebec Region Manager, CISC