Revival on the Platte, a 7-story residential structure, uses load-bearing CFS framing over a 2-level concrete podium. Martin/Martin designed the lateral systems and provided LOD 400 design and production detailing for the prefabricated CFS framing.

Images Courtesy of MKM Build Photography and Martin/Martin Inc.

Martin/Martin designed the load-bearing and lateral cold-formed steel (CFS) systems for Revival on the Platte, a 7-story residential structure over a 2-level concrete podium.

Designing the CFS Structural System

The project used a fully CFS-framed load-bearing and lateral load-resisting system. The approach maximized the capabilities of the project’s multi-profile roll-form equipment.

The equipment fabricated heavy 6” wall profiles and joist profiles up to 12” deep. Martin/Martin designed the CFS system around those manufacturing capabilities.

Strap bracing resisted lateral forces while reducing the need for structural steel and concrete. Cementitious deck panels reduced building mass and simplified the floor assemblies.

A crane lifts a prefabricated cold-formed steel (CFS) framing section into place, demonstrating the project’s factory-built approach to structural assembly.

Coordinating Prefabricated Framing

Typical floor and roof framing used 10” joists assembled into prefabricated cassettes. Fabricators installed decking and MEP systems into the cassettes before they reached the jobsite.

Crews also panelized all structural walls and pre-installed strap bracing and MEP systems. Exterior wall panels received their finishes before leaving the factory. DfMA principles guided the framing design and production process. This approach shifted substantial framing and building-system work from the field into the factory.

Weekly BIM meetings coordinated mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection routing with the structural framing. Coordination produced unique web punch-outs in floor joists and frequent framing adjustments to accommodate building systems.

Prefabricated load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) wall panels incorporated strap bracing and coordinated MEP systems before arriving at the jobsite.

Spanning the Exterior Stair Shafts

Two exterior stair shafts presented an unusual structural condition. The CFS lateral system eliminated traditional core walls that typically support stair framing at each floor.

The stair walls instead extended 8 levels, including 7 occupied floors and the roof overrun. Built-up CFS girts at each level carried the lateral wall loads.

The girts transferred out-of-plane loads into the stair shaft end walls. Along the stair’s long direction, the typical girts spanned a 23-foot opening. Each typical assembly used four 600S250-118 members and two 600T300-118 members. The built-up configuration remained within the structure’s typical 6-inch wall depth.

Framing the Exterior Elevator Shaft

One elevator shaft extended beyond the building’s typical exterior face on 3 sides. Without a concrete core, the 3-sided box needed to remain nearly self-supporting over the building’s full height.

Martin/Martin designed the box to act essentially as a horizontal moment frame. Structural steel plates connected CFS panels at the two exterior corners. The connections engaged all 3 sides as a complete moment-frame system. The approach also allowed crews to fully finish the exterior wall panels.

Martin/Martin detailed structural steel plate connections at the elevator shaft corners to engage 3 cold-formed steel (CFS) walls as a horizontal moment frame.

Detailing the Rated Shaft Walls

Denver’s rated shaft requirements introduced another challenge. The assemblies needed to maintain a continuous rating while providing floor support and support for load-bearing walls. Martin/Martin designed the system to maintain continuous sheathing along both wall faces. Light-gage Z plates hung from the top of the wall.

The plates fit between wall panels and support the floor cassette framing. Crews installed the upper sheathing layers and Z plates during factory production. Moving this work into the shop maximized production while reducing field installation.

The shaft wall floor support detail used light-gage Z plates to integrate floor cassettes while maintaining continuous rated wall assemblies.

Extending the CFS Structural System

Martin/Martin provided structural design, lateral analysis, LOD 400 design and production detailing around a CFS system built off site. Built-up girts resolved the unsupported stair shafts. A horizontal moment-frame supported the exterior elevator shaft without a traditional concrete core.

Rated shaft details maintained continuous sheathing and combined with prefabricated floor cassettes. Together, these solutions made CFS framing work in challenging structural conditions.

Revival on the Platte’s finished rooftop deck sits above seven stories of load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) framing and prefabricated building systems.

Read the full case study from CFSEI.

Additional Resources

• Martin/Martin Receives CFSEI Award for U.S. Air Force Academy Visitor’s Center
• Martin/Martin Wins Municipal/Cultural CFSEI Award for CSU Spur Hydro Water Project
• Martin/Martin Takes 2023 CFSEI First Place for Penn State’s Lasch Football Building Renovation

The post Martin/Martin Wins 2026 CFSEI Award for Prefabricated CFS Project in Denver appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Update #10: CFS Aids Saudi Gigaprojects, Wisconsin Housing and Australian Modular Housing
• Panel Prefabrication for an Austin, Texas, High Rise, Featuring ClarkDietrich Steel, Wins SFIA Honors
• Prefabricated Steel Framing and CLT Hybrid Design Cuts Student Housing Construction Timeline by 25%

 

The approach delivered measurable results.

According to the Howick Ltd. article “Prodatek – Thor’s Garden Urban Housing Project,” steel framing specialist Prodatek completed up to 10 ready-to-install wall panels a day, measuring 9.18 feet by 16.4 feet, including all insulation and openings for doors and windows fitted before delivery. Crews fully walled the 100 apartments in 4 months.

The process also generated less than 0.1% steel waste, according to Howick Ltd.’s case study of the Thors Have project.

Featured image above: Workers assemble cold-formed steel (CFS) framing for prefabricated wall panels used at the 100-apartment Thors Have housing development in Odense, Denmark. Photo courtesy of Howick

Prodatek used a digital design and roll-forming process to produce cold-formed steel framing for the Thors Have wall panels. Photo courtesy of Howick

From Digital Design to Steel Framing

Danish steel framing company Prodatek produced the panels using a digital design and manufacturing process.

Prodatek manufactured prefabricated exterior wall panels using Vertex software and a Howick FRAMA 5600 roll-forming system. Howick is a member of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA).

Prodatek’s construction architects quality checked each wall segment before sending production documents to the roll former.

The digital workflow allowed the company to customize individual wall segments rather than limit production to identical panels.

“Because [the] Vertex software can manage a high level of complexity, we can offer our clients variety in our products by customizing their project down to the very last detail,” said Mikkel Hugo Hansen, Prodatek’s head of sales and design.

Once the designs reached production, the roll-forming equipment produced the individual steel framing members for the walls.

3,608 Feet of Steel Studs a Day

The daily production figures show the scale of the operation.

Prodatek roll formed approximately 3,608 feet of CFS framing members per day. The company used that steel to produce the ready-to-install wall panels.

Crews completed as many as 10 walls a day. Before delivery, the production team fitted the panels with insulation and openings for doors and windows.

The installers also reported benefits from using panels, according to Howick. The contractor cited compact deliveries of the steel building elements and ease of installation for construction crews.

Thors Have in Odense, Denmark, includes 100 homes designed to achieve DGNB Gold certification. Image courtesy of Howick Ltd. Credit: Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects

Less Than 0.1% Steel Waste

The manufacturing process also kept steel waste to a minimum. Less than 0.1% of the steel processed each day became waste, according to Howick. The project team sent the small amount of waste that remained for recycling.

The project’s sustainability goals extended beyond reducing steel waste. All 100 homes were designed to achieve DGNB Gold certification, according to Howick.

The workflow accommodated customized wall segments while producing as many as 10 completed walls a day.

For Thors Have, the production numbers speak to the advantages of CFS panelization: up to 10 completed wall panels a day with less than 0.1% steel waste.

Within four months, 100 apartments were fully walled.

The project shows how digital design, roll-formed light-gauge steel framing and off-site panelization can work together. The process produced customized, ready-to-install wall assemblies at scale.

Additional Resources

• Howick Case Study: Panelized CFS Framing Accelerates Hotel Construction by 4 Months
• 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

The post Howick Case Study: CFS Panelization Delivers Walls for 100 Homes in 4 Months appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• CFS Panelization Delivers Walls for 100 Homes in 4 Months
• Howick Case Study: Panelized CFS Framing Accelerates Hotel Construction by 4 Months
• Panelized CFS Framing Accelerates Hotel Construction by 4-Months

 

The ConstructConnect article, “Cross Laminated Timber and Cold Formed Steel — A Building Hybrid Made in Heaven,” examines how CFS bearing walls can integrate with CLT floor and roof panels. Such CFS/CLT hybrid structural systems support efficient load paths and offsite prefabrication.

Image Credit: Timber Engineering Inc. 

 

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CFS Can Support CLT

In Hybrid CFS/CLT construction, CLT panels can form floor and roof assemblies supported by CFS bearing walls. Stacked CFS walls provide direct paths for transferring gravity loads to the foundation.

“A CLT/CFS hybrid combines the strength and load-bearing capacity of mass timber for gravity loads with the lightweight, adaptable nature of CFS for other structural elements and/or lateral load resistance,” says ConstructConnect.

CFS walls can follow architectural layouts when designers maintain alignment between floors. This alignment can simplify load paths and reduce the need for transfer elements.

CFS/CLT Systems Create Efficient Load Paths

A 2021 Timber Engineering report examines CFS/CLT hybrid systems for buildings from 7 to 12 stories.

“The structural efficiency of the system enables clear, simple, and direct load paths for gravity loads where the forces are transferred from the top or roof level to the lowest levels or foundation through lined-up load-bearing CFS walls,” the report states.

 

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CFS walls can remain straight or follow the architectural layout, provided they remain stacked at all levels.

“These direct load-paths provide a cost-effective solution as no transfer elements are required,” the report states.

Taller hybrid buildings also require a lateral load-resisting system. Common options above 6 stories include concrete shear walls, concrete cores and steel braced frames. This approach separates the gravity-load role of stacked CFS bearing walls from the building’s overall lateral-load strategy.

CFS/CLT Hybrids Support Prefabrication

CFS/CLT hybrids can use platform-style construction. Floor panels sit between consecutive single-story wall assemblies. Each floor becomes a platform for constructing the next story. The repetitive arrangement complements panelized CFS construction.

Manufacturers can engineer and fabricate both CFS wall panels and CLT panels offsite according to a planned erection sequence.

SFIA member Industrialized Construction Solutions engineered the 7-story, 85-unit West Point Apartments II in downtown Tucson, Arizona, as a load-bearing, panelized cold-formed steel (CFS) system, eliminating the need for a podium.

“Since CLT/CFS system is composed of repetitive, lightweight, easy to handle structural components, prefabrication off site is possible, followed by quick onsite assembly that minimizes both time and waste,” says ConstructConnect.

CFS wall panels also provide dimensional stability and meet building code requirements for noncombustible construction.

Early coordination remains important. Designers must establish load paths, connections, panel dimensions and erection sequencing before fabrication begins. Early coordination helps streamline fabrication and installation.

Two CFS/CLT Projects

Vienna House in Vancouver provides a current example of CFS/CLT hybrid construction. The 7-story multifamily project uses CLT floors supported by prefabricated exterior wall panels.

Western Michigan University’s Golden Oaks residence hall provides a U.S. example. The project combines prefabricated CFS load-bearing  wall panels with 3-ply CLT floor slabs. The project team reported a 25% reduction in the design and construction timeline.

Both projects demonstrate how CFS bearing walls can support multiple CLT floor systems and take advantage of offsite production.

Thus, CFS bearing walls can accommodate many floor and roof systems. CLT is one of them. And CFS/CLT hybrids offer engineering and prefabrication advantages.

Additional Resources

• Prefabricated Steel Framing and CLT Hybrid Design Cuts Student Housing Construction Timeline by 25%
• Guidance on Out-of-Plane Bracing Forces for Load-Bearing CFS Walls During CLT Floor Panel Installation
• NHERI Tallwood, Built with Steel Studs and Connectors, Was Earthquake Simulator Tested

The post CFS Bearing Walls Expand Options for Cross-Laminated Timber Floor Systems appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Australian Research Council and Scottsdale Fund CFS Floor Truss Research
• R.A. Smith Wins SFIA Award for Project at 1122 W. Chicago, Chicago, Ill.
• AISI Publishes Supplement for the Design of Profiled Steel Diaphragm Panels

 

BuildSteel is spotlighting Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) members who are defining excellence across the steel framing industry. Here are the latest updates recognizing milestones in building expertise, community service, workplace culture and business ethics.

The Raymond Group Marks 90 Years of Building Expertise

SFIA member The Raymond Group celebrates 90 years of building expertise. George Raymond founded the company in Southern California in 1936. The company grew from a lath and plaster business into a specialty contractor working on projects across the Western U.S. Its capabilities include cold-formed steel (CFS) framing, drywall, plaster and specialty finishes.

With changing demands Raymond adapted. The company combines the framing expertise of more than 1,000 craftspeople with design-assist services. That experience supports Raymond’s work on a variety of complex structures, interiors and building types.

Raymond credits its longevity to investing in its people. Several families have worked for the company across multiple generations, while the Raymond family has reached its fourth generation in the business. That continuity helps preserve trade knowledge as construction methods, materials and project requirements change.

Read the full article from The Raymond Group. 

Salas O’Brien Builds Bikes for Youths

SFIA member Salas O’Brien supports STEM education, hunger relief, children and families.

Salas O’Brien employees built 12 bicycles for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, supporting local children and families. 

Employees from Salas O’Brien’s Western offices built 12 bicycles for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego. The bicycle build took place at a technical conference.

The bicycle build reflects the firm’s focus on creating meaningful impact beyond its project work. It also provided direct support to local children and families.

Read the full article from Salas O’Brien. 

raSmith Earns 14th ‘Best Firm To Work For’ Recognition

SFIA member raSmith earned Zweig Group’s Best Firm To Work For recognition for the 14th consecutive year. The award recognizes workplaces in the architecture, engineering and construction industry.

 

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raSmith supports its employees through professional development, work-life balance, company events and employee-organized interest groups.

“This award celebrates the success and dedication of everyone in our firm, whose innovative solutions and focus on exceptional client service drive everything we do,” says raSmith president Richard Smith Jr.

Read the full article from raSmith. 

U.S. Steel Earns Fifth Straight Ethics Honor

SFIA member U.S. Steel was named one of Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fifth consecutive year. It was the only honoree in the Metals, Minerals & Mining category. The recognition coincides with U.S. Steel’s 125th anniversary.

U.S. Steel’s original code of ethics, the “Gary Principles,” took its name from its first chairperson and co-founder. The “Gary Principles” emphasized conducting business honestly, openly and fairly. 

Today, U.S. Steel uses S.T.E.E.L. Principles to guide its approach to ethics and compliance. S.T.E.E.L. stands for: S — Safety First, T — Trust and Respect, E — Environmental Stewardship, E — Excellence and Accountability and L — Lawful and Ethical Conduct.

“To be named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fifth straight year is a powerful reflection of our people,” says U.S. Steel president and CEO David B. Burritt.

Read the full article from U.S. Steel. 

Additional Resources

• Update #5 | Defining Excellence with Scottsdale, Salas O’Brien and Steel Dynamics
• Update #4 | Defining Excellence with Steel Dynamics, U.S. Steel and Simpson Strong-Tie
• Update #3 | Defining Excellence with Simpson Strong-Tie, CFSEI Honoree Vince Salvador and ClarkDietrich
• Update #2 | Defining Excellence with T.J Wies Contracting, U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs
• Update #1 | Defining Excellence with Simpson Strong-Tie, U.S. Steel and Steel Dynamics

The post Update #6 | Raymond Group’s 90 Years, Salas O’Brien Bicycles, Awards for raSmith and U.S. Steel appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Update #6 | Raymond Group’s 90 Years, Salas O’Brien Bicycles, raSmith and U.S. Steel Win Awards
• Update #6 | Raymond Group’s 90 Years, Salas O’Brien’s Bicycle Program, raSmith’s Workplace Award and U.S. Steel’s Ethics Awards Honors
• Update #11: CFS Advances Residential and Glamping Pod Construction, U.S. Steel Plans Major Mill Investment

 

McClure designed radiused, non-bearing CFS systems throughout the 17-story, 555,250-square-foot mixed-use building. The work included curved ceilings, exterior canopy eyebrows, façade framing and interior radiused walls.

Photos courtesy of Radius Track and McClure.

McClure engineered radiused, non-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) systems for 10 World Trade, including curved ceilings, canopy eyebrows, façade framing and interior radiused walls.

Supporting Complex Geometry

Radiused ceiling framing supported heavy wood panels within key architectural spaces. The ceilings transitioned continuously from floor to wall to ceiling.

McClure also designed exterior canopy eyebrow framing, including connections, bracing and interfaces with supporting structural elements. Exterior façade framing and radiused walls extended the CFS scope throughout the building’s lower levels.

The radiused framing formed architectural features including the oculus, flower boxes and detailed ceiling elements.

McClure’s radiused ceiling design combined backer studs, hat channels, stud hangers, kickers and strongbacks to support heavy wood panels within congested plenum spaces.

Framing Within Congested Plenums

Curved geometry and heavy panel loading created significant structural demands. Exceptionally dense MEP and fire protection systems further complicated the ceiling framing.

Limited plenum space left minimal tolerance for conflicts between building systems. The CFS design needed flexibility while maintaining structural integrity and precise geometry.

McClure developed comprehensive design guidelines for the radiused ceilings. The system combined radiused backer studs, hat channels, stud hangers, kickers and strongbacks.

These components allowed controlled adjustments as trades coordinated their systems within the ceiling plenum.

Radiused CFS framing followed the building’s complex curved geometry, creating continuous transitions between floors, walls and ceilings.

Coordinating Ceiling Support

The design guidelines gave Radius Track a logic tree for coordinating the backer framing. Designers could use fixed hanger spacing for the panel or select a fixed strongback size.

Designers modeled and coordinated all hangers among the trades. Crews installed them before MEP and fireproofing installation began.

This sequence established the ceiling support layout early while preserving space for surrounding building systems.

Accommodating Building Movement

Ceiling-to-wall transitions introduced another challenge. The adjoining assemblies needed to accommodate building movement without creating visible joints across the finished ceiling.

McClure color-coordinated the movement joints to identify the specific detailing required at each location. This approach clarified the detailing while preserving the continuous architectural appearance.

McClure’s cold-formed steel (CFS) design supported 10 World Trade’s distinctive curved architecture while accommodating movement and maintaining continuous transitions between framing assemblies.

Delivering Flexible CFS Framing

McClure’s design guidelines gave installers flexibility within congested spaces while maintaining the geometry required for the radiused ceilings.

Early hanger coordination established critical support locations before MEP and fireproofing installation. Movement-joint detailing addressed building movement while maintaining continuous ceiling transitions.

Together, these strategies reduced rework and supported structurally sound curved framing within demanding architectural and coordination constraints.

Read the full case study from CFSEI.

Additional Resources

• McClure Wins 2026 CFSEI Award for Mountain Resort Roof System
• McClure Guides Complex Cladding Replacement at Terminal Island Plant, Wins CFSEI Award
• McClure Earns 2025 CFSEI Design Excellence Award for Fontainebleau Las Vegas

The post McClure Earns 2026 CFSEI Award for 10 World Trade CFS Framing appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

       

SFIA member U.S. Steel plans to modernize Mon Valley Works with up to $2.5 billion in capital investment. The program includes a new hot strip mill at the Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania. It would replace the 87-year-old hot strip mill at the nearby Irvin Plant. The investment represents a major modernization of an established U.S. steelmaking operation.

The new mill would expand the range of steel products Mon Valley Works can produce. U.S. Steel designed the facility to improve yield, reduce energy consumption and enhance product quality. The upgrades will strengthen production capabilities while replacing equipment that has operated for nearly 9 decades.

The project also reflects Nippon Steel’s growing investment in U.S. steelmaking. Nippon Steel initially committed at least $1 billion to Mon Valley Works in 2024. Updated plans increase that investment to as much as $2.5 billion.

Read the full article from U.S. Steel

CFS Framing Supports Glamping Pods in Alberta

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing helps modular glamping pods meet Alberta’s demanding prairie climate. The factory-built units support year-round operation in temperatures reaching -40°C, heavy snow and sustained winds. 

The CFS frame supports the snow and wind loads required. Load-rated CFS framing combines with an insulated, airtight envelope to support all-season use. It works with closed-cell spray foam insulation, a continuous air barrier and weather-resistant metal cladding. Together, these systems provide structural stability while helping the envelope manage heat, air and moisture. This approach gives hospitality operators an alternative to seasonal structures requiring winter shutdowns.

The cold-formed steel framing depicted in the Instagram post below was produced by a CFS fabricator from Edmonton, Alberta, operating several Scottsdale roll forming systems. Scottsdale Construction Systems is an SFIA member.

 

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The modular design combines extreme-weather performance with efficient factory-built construction. Units arrive ready for utility connections. They reduce work at the destination site. Their design keeps the pods available for guests throughout the year. Together, these features show how CFS supports modular construction in demanding climates.

Read the full article. 

CFS Streamlines Residential Construction

NexGen Steel Framing is applying panelized cold-formed steel (CFS) construction to home building. The company converts home plans into engineered CFS framing systems, manufacturing the components not with wood but with steel using automated roll-forming equipment. NexGen Steel Framing is a customer of SFIA member Scottsdale Construction Systems.

Wall panels, floor joists and roof trusses arrive labeled and sequenced for assembly. Steel stud panelization allows crews to “simply stand walls and set trusses in days rather than weeks,” says an article in the Bonner County Daily Bee.

 

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Projects use building information modeling, which converts plans into engineered CFS designs. Automated equipment then produces components for assembly into trusses and panels with pre-punched connections and pre-framed door and window openings.

NexGen Steel Framing ships components in erection sequence. On site, crews stand, plumb and connect the panels without any need to cut individual framing members to fit. The system shows how engineering and automated fabrication work together to efficiently produce panelized CFS framing systems for residential construction.

Read the full article. 

Additional Resources

• Update #10: CFS Aids Saudi Gigaprojects, Wisconsin Housing and Australian Modular Housing
• Update #9: MAREK Builds Ismaili Center, ClarkDietrich Receives Certification for Connectors and U.S. Steel Invests in DRI
• Update #8: University of Houston’s Radar and AI Tech, Grabber’s Stud Cutter, ClarkDietrich’s Bridging Bar

The post Update #11: U.S. Steel Plans Major Mill Investment, CFS Advances Glamping Pods and Residential Construction appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Scott Fournier Discusses Mid-Rise Cold-Formed Steel Construction on FRAMECAD Podcast
• Update #24: Cold-Formed Steel Advances Historic Renovation, Veterans Housing and Net-Zero School
• Update #9: MAREK Builds Ismaili Center, ClarkDietrich Receives Certification for Connectors and U.S. Steel Invests in DRI

 

This new level of specificity gives architects and specifiers more precise data to support sustainable building decisions.

EPD: ‘The Most Accurate Information possible’

The update reflects a refinement in how environmental data is measured and reported, not a change in manufacturing processes or product composition. Previously, ClarkDietrich’s EPD reported environmental impacts using company-wide average manufacturing data.

“This update is about giving our customers the most accurate information possible,” said James Sforza, sustainability architectural representative at ClarkDietrich. “The updated EPD remains a single, unified declaration, but now breaks down environmental results by individual manufacturing plant, giving architects, specifiers and building teams a clearer, more granular view of the environmental performance associated with the specific facility producing their steel framing products.”

The ClarkDietrich Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for its CFS product lines now also features plant-specific environmental impact data across the company’s 12 steel framing manufacturing facilities.

Plant-Specific Reporting an Investment in Transparency

The move toward plant-specific reporting reflects ClarkDietrich’s continued investment in transparency as a cornerstone of its sustainability strategy. The company established a dedicated corporate sustainability function four years ago. Since then, ClarkDietrich has steadily expanded its environmental disclosures. EPDs, Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) help customers make informed decisions and achieve green building certifications across LEED and other rating systems.

The new EPD is third-party verified by UL Solutions in accordance with ISO 14025 and ISO 21930:2017.

Access the updated EPD. Learn more about ClarkDietrich’s sustainability initiatives, visit clarkdietrich.com/sustainability.

Additional Resources

• ClarkDietrich Introduces ASTM F2322 Impact Tested Barrier Mesh Wall Systems
• ClarkDietrich Launches Industry-First Embodied Carbon Calculator for Cold-Formed Steel
• ClarkDietrich Cuts Emissions to Help Builders Procure Lower-Carbon Products

The post ClarkDietrich Publishes New EPD with Plant-Specific Environmental Impact Data appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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• ClarkDietrich Introduces SilentXpress Sound Isolation System
• AD Member Sales Reach a Record $58 Billion Through First Six Months of 2026
• AD Receives Multiple Workplace Recognitions in 2026

 

The selection follows a March vote by SFIA members to update the existing program with a new method of verifying code compliance.

The updated C3 Program will continue to require unannounced audits of manufacturing facilities while placing greater emphasis on manufacturing processes, quality control procedures and documentation. Inspection procedures and the frequency of inspections will also change under the updated program.

From left, SFIA’s Programs and Operations Manager Holly Mellinger meets with Keystone Certifications’ President Daniel Shiflet, Program Manager Devin Kohler and Inspection Manager Seth Gordon on July 30 to prepare for the C3 Program transition.

Keystone Selected Following Competitive Review

Following the membership vote, SFIA issued a request for proposal for a third-party program administrator. Four companies responded, with the SFIA Board of Directors selecting Keystone based on recommendations from SFIA staff and the association’s Compliance Committee.

“A big thank you goes out to the volunteer members of the Compliance Committee for carefully and thoughtfully evaluating the four proposals received,” said Don Allen, SFIA executive director. “Every proposal had several good attributes, and it was not an easy decision.”

SFIA certification programs assure architects, owners, building officials and contractors that specified cold-formed steel (CFS) framing components, assemblies and installations meet recognized codes and standards.

Keystone will manage administration, compliance auditing and quality assurance workflows for the updated C3 Program.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Steel Framing Industry Association,” said Dan Shiflet, president at Keystone Certifications. “Our team looks forward to delivering reliable, efficient, and independent third-party verification that supports quality and integrity throughout the steel framing industry.”

SFIA, Keystone Begin C3 Program Transition

SFIA, Keystone and participating members are preparing for the transition ahead of Keystone assuming administration of the program Jan. 1.

Current efforts include training on program requirements and inspection procedures. SFIA Manufacturer and Contractor Manufacturer members are preparing their quality control procedures. They are also organizing their documentation for audits under the updated program.

Training will include:

• Prearranged hosted visits at select SFIA member manufacturing facilities
• Visits will give inspectors and participating members insights on what to expect during future audits
• The hosted visits are for training purposes only and will not provide participating members with an advantage during subsequent audits

SFIA is also developing training videos and documents. These materials will support Manufacturer and Contractor Manufacturer members during the transition. They will also help new members navigate the C3 Program onboarding process.

Keystone and SFIA will continue coordinating training, inspections and program procedures ahead of the Jan. 1 launch.

Additional Resources

• SFIA Approves Updates to Code Compliance Certification Program
• SFIA 2026 Annual Meeting Features Newly Approved Certification Program, Industry Awards and More
• SFIA Certification Program Guards Against Shortfalls in Imported Steel

The post SFIA Selects Keystone to Administer Updated Code Compliance Certification Program appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• SFIA Approves Updates to Code Compliance Certification Program
• CFSEI Publishes Tech Note L400-25: ‘Non-Bearing Cold-formed Steel Lateral Force Resisting Systems’
• Inside CEMCO: How SFIA-Certified CFS Framing Is Tested, Tracked and Verified

 

SilentXpress

The system uses proprietary Type CWSC connectors with ProSTUD® framing to connect adjacent studs under a single track. This configuration reduces sound transmission. The connectors are available in two sizes for a range of project types:

• 3-5/8″ for wall assemblies 
• 6″ for wall assemblies

“Sound isolation has long been a challenge that forces project teams to choose between acoustic performance and usable square footage,” says Janine Dallies, category manager, connections, ClarkDietrich. “That tradeoff is especially pertinent across multifamily builds, hotels, hospitals, and offices.”

SilentXpress changes that equation. It brings proven acoustic performance to narrower assemblies, all with faster lead times and more efficient shipping than other solutions on the market.

Backed by extensive acoustical testing, SilentXpress demonstrates outstanding sound isolation performance across multiple assemblies. It also offers UL-tested 1-hour and 2-hour fire-rated assembly options.

Because SilentXpress is field-assembled with clips and ProSTUD framing, the system is easily adaptable to real jobsite conditions and provides more flexibility. This can help streamline delivery schedules and minimize potential project delays. Because the SilentXpress components ship compactly in boxes, the system is logistically easier and more cost-effective from the start. 

Type CWSC connectors are available for rapid delivery through ClarkDietrich’s Clip Express program, which offers shipping as fast as one day.

Read the full news release from ClarkDietrich. 

Additional Resources

• ClarkDietrich Introduces ASTM F2322 Impact Tested Barrier Mesh Wall Systems
• ClarkDietrich Launches Industry-First Embodied Carbon Calculator for Cold-Formed Steel
• ClarkDietrich Cuts Emissions to Help Builders Procure Lower-Carbon Products

The post ClarkDietrich Introduces SilentXpress Sound Isolation System appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• ClarkDietrich Publishes New EPD with Plant-Specific Environmental Impact Data
• AD Member Sales Reach a Record $58 Billion Through First Six Months of 2026
• AD Receives Multiple Workplace Recognitions in 2026

 

The Element Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, demonstrates those advantages. US Frame Factory fabricated the project’s framing package using technology from Scottsdale Construction Systems, an SFIA member. The 110,000-square-foot, 8-story hotel used load-bearing CFS wall framing and floor joist systems as its primary structural package. The project demonstrates how coordinated detailing, precision manufacturing and efficient installation support large-scale hospitality construction.

In the article, “A Steel Framed Hotel Made with Advanced Roll Forming Technology,” Scottsdale Construction Systems highlights the project’s coordinated framing approach. The system allowed CFS wall framing and floor joists to work together efficiently throughout the building.

Images provided by Scottsdale Construction Systems.

The 8-story Element Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, used load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) walls and floor joists as its primary structural framing system.

Coordinating Design and Fabrication

The project team spent one year planning before fabrication began. A structural engineer completed the building design. US Frame Factory fabricated the framing package using Scottsdale’s KFS Framemaker 1622 and KFS Framemaker 1420. The roll forming technology manufactured the wall and floor systems for the multi-story structure.

The project team selected CFS instead of wood because of the building’s height. The lower floors also required careful coordination where CFS framing connected with structural steel.

The framing package included load-bearing CFS walls and floor joist systems throughout the building.

Load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) framing integrated with structural steel on the lower floors to create a coordinated structural system.

Fabrication for Efficient Installation

Fabrication required approximately 8 months. A 12-person framing crew erected the structural package.

Factory-produced framing components provided consistent dimensions and precut members. The repeatable framing package helped crews maintain alignment throughout the hotel’s guest room layouts.

The framing required close coordination among CFS wall panels, floor joists, structural steel and the concrete core. That coordination supported an organized installation sequence while maintaining the building’s structural layout.

Factory-produced cold-formed steel (CFS) framing components maintained dimensional accuracy and improved installation throughout the hotel’s repetitive floor plan.

Fire-Rated Floor Systems Enhance Performance

The Element Hotel incorporated load-bearing CFS floor joists within a tested 2-hour fire-rated floor and ceiling assembly. The assembly did not require a concrete topping slab.

The floor system supported room spans of 15 to 20 feet. Engineers also used 24-inch-on-center CFS wall framing throughout guest rooms and corridors.

Together, the wall and floor systems created a coordinated framing package for multi-story hospitality construction.

The tested two-hour fire-rated floor assembly integrated load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) floor joists without requiring a concrete topping slab.

Designing for Structural Performance

Engineers designed the framing system for a 112-mph basic wind speed. The project also met Wind Exposure Category B, Seismic Design Category B and Site Class D requirements.

The structural design accommodated 20-psf roof dead loads and 20-psf roof live loads. Engineers also designed for 25-psf floor dead loads and 40-psf floor live loads. Corridors supported 100-psf live loads.

The engineering team coordinated the load-bearing CFS framing with the structural steel frame. That coordination maintained structural performance throughout the building.

The steel framing package totaled approximately $1.25 million, or about $11.34 per square foot. That figure excluded labor and sheathing.

Engineers coordinated the load-bearing CFS framing with structural steel while meeting wind, seismic and floor loading requirements.

A Model for Hospitality Construction

The Element Hotel demonstrates how coordinated engineering, fabrication and installation support efficient multi-story hotel construction. The project combined load-bearing CFS walls, floor joists and structural steel into an organized framing system.

The project also highlights the advantages of offsite manufacturing. Factory-produced framing components improved consistency before reaching the jobsite. The framing package supported efficient field installation and repeatable construction quality.

The Element Hotel demonstrates how coordinated cold-formed steel (CFS) framing, offsite manufacturing and advanced roll forming technology supported efficient multi-story hospitality construction.

The Element Hotel shows how coordinated CFS framing, advanced roll forming technology and offsite manufacturing support precise, repeatable construction. Scottsdale Construction Systems helped deliver a precise, buildable CFS framing package.

Read the full article from Scottsdale Construction Systems.

Additional Resources

• Scottsdale Case Study: Wood-to-Steel Conversion Advances Hotel Construction Project
• Scottsdale: Modular Steel Warehouse Showcases Large-Span Cold-Formed Steel Design
• Scottsdale Delivers Innovative Thermal Solutions for Cold-Formed Steel Framing

The post Scottsdale Case Study: Cold-Formed Steel Framing Advances Mid-Rise Hotel Construction appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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The project transformed the arena’s west upper concourse into a two-level, 6,800-square-foot gathering space. Engineers designed the CFS framing to support heavy occupant and construction loads while integrating with the existing arena structure.

Photos courtesy of Salas O’Brien.

The Modelo® Bridge transformed Barclays Center’s west upper concourse into a two-level, 6,800-square-foot gathering space supported by cold-formed steel (CFS) framing.

Building Within an Existing Structure

The Modelo Bridge created a new gathering space by over-framing the existing tiered structure. The bi-level platform created approximately 10 feet of buildup over the existing arena structure.

Engineers coordinated the new framing with the existing arena structure. The platform supported public assembly while preserving the architectural vision for the space.

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing created the Modelo® Bridge’s elevated platform by building approximately 10 feet above the existing arena structure.

Designing for Multiple Load Conditions

The platform framing required more than conventional floor loading. Engineers designed the CFS framing system for live loads, interior pressure, maintenance loads, seismic forces and guardrail loading.

The design also accommodated construction equipment, including scissor lifts weighing up to 1,000 pounds.

Salas O’Brien incorporated bridging posts to resist in-plane axial forces from vertical loads. Bracing in all directions provided lateral stability throughout the platform system. The company also provided loading information for the building engineer’s analysis of the existing structure. This coordination supported the overall structural design.

Bridging posts, multidirectional bracing and coordinated cold-formed steel (CFS) framing enabled the Modelo® Bridge platform to support complex loading conditions.

Coordinating Complex Geometry

The bridge tower introduced another layer of complexity. New CFS framing wrapped existing superstructure elements on one side while mirroring those shapes on the other.

Salas O’Brien developed a coordinated digital model to guide the framing layout. The model coordinated crossing tiebacks where framing interfaced with adjacent structural steel and bridge elements.

Digital coordination simplified framing around the irregular geometry. It also improved constructability before installation began.

A coordinated digital model guided the CFS framing layout and coordinated crossing tiebacks with adjacent structural steel and bridge elements.

Supporting the Architectural Vision

The Modelo Bridge draws inspiration from the bridges connecting Brooklyn with New York City’s boroughs. Its framing supported a two-level gathering space overlooking the arena and surrounding skyline.

CFS framing created the structural platform while accommodating railing support, soffits, fascia and Fan Deck bar ceilings. The system also supported the open gathering spaces required for fan events and entertainment.

Inspired by New York City’s iconic bridges, the Modelo® Bridge creates a two-level gathering space overlooking the arena and downtown Brooklyn.

Delivering a Constructible Solution

Salas O’Brien combined CFS framing, coordinated modeling and detailed load analysis. Together, these strategies transformed an existing arena concourse into a new multi-level destination.

The framing addressed demanding gravity, lateral and construction loads without compromising the existing structure. Coordinated detailing also simplified installation where new framing intersected existing steel.

Together, these strategies delivered a constructible CFS solution that supported the renovation’s architectural vision and long-term structural performance.

Read the full case study from CFSEI.

Additional Resources

• Salas O’Brien Wins 2024 CFSEI Award for the Denver International Airport Concourse Expansion Design
• Salas O’Brien Wins 2024 CFSEI Award for Colorado Convention Center Expansion
• Salas O’Brien Design Cuts Costs, Receives 2025 CFSEI Creative Detail Award for Hotel Tower

The post Salas O’Brien Receives 2026 CFSEI Award for Barclays Center CFS Platform appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

       

• Same-store sales of existing members grew by 10%
• Member purchases from AD suppliers increased 24%
• Member count increased by 79 on a net basis during the first half of the year
• Members acquired 28 non-AD companies

“Our strong first-half results reflect the growth of our members, the addition of new members to our community, and the strength of member partnerships with AD suppliers,” said Bill Weisberg, AD chairman and CEO. “We look forward to working closely with our Owner-Members and member-elected governing groups to build on this success through the end of the year.”

Read the original AD news release.

Additional Resources

• AD Receives Multiple Workplace Recognitions in 2026
• AD Member Sales Reach a Record $100 Billion in 2025
• AD and The Commonwealth Group, An Alliance of PHCP distributors, Announce Their Intent to Merge

The post AD Member Sales Reach a Record $58 Billion Through First Six Months of 2026 appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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