Mitch Heitler Award for Excellence in Craftsmanship

The winner of this award is selected from the Gold winners of the 2017 Top Job Competition.

Gold Winner:

Big D Metalworks
Dallas, Texas

The exposed stringers of this stunning four-story stainless steel staircase system were boxed plate saw tooth built up tubes with integral glass shoes and continuously welded seams. The delivery to the upper floors of the high-rise tower was a complicated endeavor due to the requirement that pieces needed to be sized to fit into the freight elevator, adding twenty-one (21) complete joint penetration field welds. All welds had to be finished to a wave-free fine brushed finish. The saw-tooth stringer design reinforced the effect of a saw-tooth cut glass balustrade system. Stringer extensions into one wall resulted in a vibration-free, non-obtrusive, support system for the landings. Tread extensions on the stringers achieved a floating tread effect. Exposed finished faces on all sides of the staircases required special attention to the final grinding and finishing. Glass joint alignment was a critical design element, as was alignment of all staircases. 

Fabrication hours: 1,257
Finish hours: 1,134
Installation hours: 2,288