IWR Building Systems, a specialty contractor focusing on building enclosure systems, recently earned the 2015 Keystone Award for Project of the Year, , for its work on the Shriners Hospital for Children. The annual awards, divided into twelve categories, recognize contractors’ successes in resolving construction challenges faced on a project. IWR won in the specialty subcontractor category for projects in the $2-5M range for its complete responsibility of the Shriners Hospital for Children’s building enclosure.

“We are honored to have received such a prestigious award in today’s competitive and challenging construction environment,” said Todd Staley, general manager of IWR. “Collaboration is the key to making a successful project happen. Our coordination efforts, use of innovative laser scanning and complete set of integration details for all the exterior systems allowed this complicated curved and coplanar design to result in a high-performing façade.”

The building exterior consists of 3,600 rotated square ACM metal panels that required precise craftsmanship due to the intricate geometric details of the building surface. The panel system has been engineered with a pressure-equalized rain screen design which allows for a drainage cavity behind the panels. To reassure the building owner that the enclosure will function properly, IWR became the only exterior contractor in St. Louis to be certified by the ABAA (Air Barrier Association of America) as a requirement to having a weather-resistant barrier installed.

“Now that the AGC is a statewide association it’s really exciting for us to have the opportunity to highlight some of the outstanding projects throughout the U.S. successfully completed by our members while at the same time honoring our specialty contractors for their contributions to the success of a project,” said Leonard Toenjes, president of AGC.

The other 2015 Keystone Award winners include: Musick Construction Co., Tarlton Corp., McCarthy Building Companies Inc., Bloomsdale Excavating Co. Inc., Goodwin Brothers Construction, Golterman & Sabo Inc., Guarantee Electrical Co., Icon Mechanical Construction & Engineering, Murphy Co. and Herzog Contracting Corp.