As the construction industry bounces back from the pandemic, building developers are hoping to get projects done on time. With lumber still at premium levels, architecture firm DSGNworks is looking to cold-formed steel (CFS) to save time, money and labor shortages for multifamily projects.
Architect partners with CFS prefabrication plant
Kevin Wallace, founding principal of DSGNworks in Texas, faces many challenges when leading the design of a new project.
“Keeping up with amenity and design trends is a challenge in the best of times, but it can be especially tough when you’re dealing with rising construction costs and a growing labor shortage,” says Wallace in an article on Bisnow. “The right architect can help solve both these issues.”
Wallace views architects as the quarterback of the construction and design team, directing the various disciplines to best fit the project.
Recently, Wallace’s team has been focused on construction costs, searching for ways to address skyrocketing material prices. Wallace says the price of wood has tripled in cost year-over-year. He feels architects can collaborate with general contractors, tradesmen and material suppliers to develop innovative construction options.
One option is cold-formed steel (CFS). In response, DSGNworks is working with a cold-formed metal prefabrication plant that rolls its own framing members as an affordable and more durable replacement for wood studs. The plant produces both metal studs and prefabricated wall systems, which can be assembled on-site.
“[Panelization] solves the labor shortage, because 80% of the work to construct the building is now done inside a plant instead of on site,” Wallace says. “It solves the cost of materials issue, and it can reduce the timeline of a project by two months if you’re working with the right general contractor.”
The fabricator rolls its studs to match the nominal dimensions available in wood. Its hybrid panels have also been assembled to allow the use of plywood floor decking under a poured gypsum floor. By using this hybrid method, the construction type code remains Type V and is not bumped up to the Type II construction requirements.
Innovations Using CFS
Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing is enabling building professionals to find ways to complete projects more efficiently, in less time, and with lower costs. For example:
- The use of portable steel roll-forming machines to fabricate mobile structures is an emerging technology gaining traction within the U.S. Navy
- South Valley Prefab’s exterior finish CFS-framed panels cut installation labor by 90 percent in the construction of Denver’s new RiNo District hotel
- Using CFS framing components and an automated fabrication system, Straight Cold Rollin in Wyoming used four untrained laborers to build a 60-by-140-ft. pole barn in two months.
Modular construction will help get building back on track
Looking ahead, Bisnow reports that Wallace has been in contact with three modular construction plants to discuss how he can get their modules into the multifamily market. He believes this will be key to helping developers cut costs without sacrificing quality, and get building back on track in a post-pandemic environment.
“It’s our goal to help developers make their communities more marketable,” Wallace says. “We use a team approach to help people get there. We design the right type of space and connect developers with the contractors and panelization experts that can help them.”