The American Institute of Steel Construction's flagship competition for buildings is now accepting entries for the 2023 IDEAS² Awards.

AISC's Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS2) Awards recognize outstanding projects that illustrate the exciting possibilities of structural steel. They are the industry's most prestigious design honor.

The winners will get a prime-time spotlight at NASCC: The Steel Conference in Charlotte, N.C. next April, and the May 2023 issue of Modern Steel Construction magazine will feature them. In addition to substantial press support and publicity through AISC's own print and online media, winning teams have the unique opportunity to present their projects to the AEC community during special webinars or live events throughout the year. If possible, AISC will conduct an on-site award presentation during 2023.

"Innovators in the AEC community create amazing steel structures every day," said AISC President Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD. "These inspiring structures represent the best of design and construction with American steel, and AISC is honored to recognize the project teams that bring these visions to life."

In recent years, the Space Needle underwent an extensive structural renovation to prepare the already futuristic (and fun) symbol of Seattle for the next generation and beyond. Check out this gallery to see models of the building systems, sequencing for the new steel flooring system, and photos of the new amenities like the curved steel staircase. And to read about the project, see “Steel Space” in the May 2022 issue.

Chicago’s Montrose Avenue Bridge over the I-90/94 corridor overcame COVID-19 delays and tight site constraints and came together on time. Click through the album to see the project’s progression, which involved replacing a crumbling concrete crossing with a strong steel span. And to read all about it, see “Treading Lightly” in the June 2022 issue.