2025 CFSEI AWARDS PROGRAM

ENTRIES DEADLINE JANUARY 31, 2025

The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), a national organization comprised of structural engineers and other design professionals, is accepting nominations for the 2025 CFSEI Awards Program. Nominations for Design Excellence, Creative Detail, and Distinguished Service are being accepted.
 
Nominations are due by January 31, 2025. Winners will be recognized at the 2025 CFSEI Expo and will be published on the CFSEI and BuildSteel websites. Winning entries will also be made available to professional journals through press releases.
 

PURPOSE

The purpose of the CFSEI Awards Program is to publicly acknowledge outstanding achievement in creative design, technical innovation, and best practices in the use of cold-formed steel and to publicly acknowledge individuals who have volunteered their time and talent to the cold-formed steel (CFS) industry.
 

DESIGN EXCELLENCE

Projects that exemplify excellence in the structural design of new or renovated structures utilizing CFS products for exterior or interior applications. Awards may be given in multiple categories, at the discretion of the Awards Committee, depending on the total number of projects submitted.

FIRST PLACE

Winning entry will receive a trophy, one Expo registration, 5-minutes presentation at the Expo, and one free CFSEI membership for a year. Winner will also receive public recognition via trade publications, social media, and recognition on the CFSEI and BuildSteel websites.

SECOND PLACE

Winning entry will receive a trophy, 5-minutes presentation at the Expo, and one free CFSEI membership for a year. Winner will also receive public recognition via trade publications, social media, and recognition on the CFSEI and BuildSteel websites.

THIRD PLACE

Winning entry will receive a trophy and public recognition via trade publications, social media, and recognition on the CFSEI and BuildSteel websites.

CREATIVE DETAIL

Any exterior or interior cold-formed steel framing detail, assembly, or framing element that exemplifies creativity or ingenuity to solve a design challenge.

FIRST PLACE

Winning entry will receive a trophy, one Expo registration, 5-minutes presentation at the Expo, and one free CFSEI membership for a year. Winner will also receive public recognition via trade publications, social media, and recognition on the CFSEI and BuildSteel websites.

SECOND PLACE

Winning entry will receive a trophy, 5-minutes presentation at the Expo, and one free CFSEI membership for a year. Winner will also receive public recognition via trade publications, social media, and recognition on the CFSEI and BuildSteel websites.

THIRD PLACE

Winning entry will receive a trophy and public recognition via trade publications, social media, and recognition on the CFSEI and BuildSteel websites.

JOHN P. MATSEN AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

To acknowledge the contributions of an individual who has volunteered their time, talent, and resources to the CFS industry. The John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service will be given at the discretion of the CFSEI Executive Committee. It will only be given when the Executive Committee has determined that a nominee exhibits exceptional qualifications in meeting the Award judging criteria, maintaining the past standards winners have set.

 

JUDGING CRITERIA

AWARD CATEGORY I - DESIGN EXCELLENCE

Entries will be judged on demonstrated excellence and achievement in the use of cold-formed steel based on the following criteria:

1.    Design creativity
2.    Technical innovation
3.    Overall project excellence in cold-formed steel utilization
4.    Presentation – Concisely explain why your project is unique and award worthy.  
5.    Photography– Providing both during construction and finish photos greatly helps with judging.

AWARD CATEGORY II - CREATIVE DETAIL

Entries will be judged on demonstrated excellence and achievement in the use of cold-formed steel based on the following criteria:

1.    Problem solving creativity
2.    Presentation – Concisely explain why your project is unique and award worthy.  
3.    Photography – Providing both during construction and finish photos greatly helps with judging.

AWARD CATEGORY III - DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Judging criteria for the Distinguished Service Award will be based on the following criteria:

  • Testimonial of the nominator to include contributions by the individual to advance cold-formed steel in the marketplace.

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) will be given at the discretion of the current CFSEI Executive Committee. CFSEI/SFIA employees are not eligible. The award will only be given when it has been determined that a nominee exhibits exceptional qualifications in meeting the Award judging criteria, maintaining the past standards that winners have set.

 

RULES OF ELIGIBILITY

  • Any project, interior or exterior, utilizing cold-formed steel framing is eligible.
  • The project's construction must have been completed in 2024 or earlier.  Project completion is defined as project area occupancy.
  • Entrants may submit more than one project.
  • Projects previously submitted are eligible for resubmission; however, prior winners are not eligible.
  • The Distinguished Service award nominee must be a CFSEI member in good standing. CFSEI and SFIA paid staff, and current members of the CFSEI Executive Committee are not eligible for nomination.
  • Paid consultants are eligible for consideration. Nominations must be made by an individual other than the nominee.
  • The entrant is solely responsible for any matters regarding confidentiality agreements related to the project.
  • All entry materials will become the sole property of CFSEI, which reserves the right to publish some or all entry material. The entrant warrants that he/she may legally transfer all publishing rights of any photos, renderings, or drawings submitted to CFSEI. By entering the Awards Program, the entrant grants a royalty and compensation-free license to CFSEI to disseminate or publish any copyrighted material submitted; the entrant also grants CFSEI the right to publish the names of the award recipients.

Projects or individuals not meeting eligibility requirements will not be considered for judging.

ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS

All entry packets must be submitted electronically. For each category, the entry packet must contain the following:

CATEGORY I AND II

Complete and submit an entry form for each project or detail submitted. Provide high-resolution photos and details for each project submitted.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Complete and submit an entry form for each nominee.

ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS

ONLINE SUBMISSION FORMS

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES

Award entries must be submitted online and received by 5:00 pm on January 31, 2025.

For submissions instructions, please contact [email protected] for additional information.

Upon receipt of a complete entry submission, CFSEI will send an email confirming such receipt. Representatives of winning entries will be notified by e-mail no later than April 5, 2025. The 2025 Awards Program winners will be recognized as a part of the 2025 CFSEI Expo.

Representatives of the winning entries and the Distinguished Service Award recipient may be asked to make a brief presentation or statement upon receiving their award. If you have any questions or need clarification about the awards program requirements, please contact CFSEI at [email protected] or by telephone at 1-800-797-8335.

 

Click here for view previous winners