FEATURES

24   Under the Boardwalk
By Terrence Oden, AIA, and Don Fleszar
A historic warehouse uses salvaged and new steel in its transformation to a high-end residential space complete with a central floating boardwalk.

30   Building up to the Final Act
By Carol Post, SE, PE, and Geoff Dauksas, SE, PE
Northwestern University's new biomedical research facility was designed to integrate with existing adjacent facilities as well as accommodate future vertical expansion.

38   Clear Winner
By Michael Stubbs, SE, PE, Adam Sanchez, and Isaac Harder
Long-span steel trusses were the winning structural solution for a high school sports program in El Paso with a transparent, wide-open design.

44   Seeing the Forest for the Trees
By Banning Reed, PE, and Michael McDonald, PE
Structural steel appears to sprout from the forest floor in this new North Carolina learning compound.

50   Rounding Up
By Dave Blankfard, SE, PE, and Sarah Musser, PE
A new manufacturing arts teaching facility builds a theme of roundness into its structural system to practical, aesthetic, and illustrative ends.

54   Managing BIM
By Andrew D. Mendelson, FAIA
BIM is more than just a tool. It's a process. And knowing how to navigate the process will help you get the most out of the tool.

58   Mind the Gap
By Luke Faulkner
To close the productivity gap, the construction industry will have to use one of its strongest tools: technology.

60   Virtual Conference, Real Success
By Geoff Weisenberger
COVID-19 kept us apart for the 2020 NASCC: The Steel Conference, but it brought us together in new ways—and in large numbers.

COLUMNS

steelwise
16   High Design Standards for Low-Rise Buildings
By Michael A. West, PE
A revised AISC publication provides updated design guidance for big-box stores, warehouses, office buildings, and other sprawling low-rise structures.

field notes
20   Making Connections
Interview by Geoff Weisenberger
Carol Drucker is an expert on connection design as well as what makes the Windy City wonderful.

business issues
22   Good Data, Bad Data
By Alex Patton
Stats and graphs aren't always honest or accurate. Here are some tips on how to avoid falling prey to bad information--and also how to avoid spreading it.