Frequently Asked Questions

Metals in Construction magazine 2025 Design Challenge

Q: Who is the Steel Institute of New York and why are they sponsoring this contest?
The Steel Institute of New York is a not-for-profit association created in 1972 to advance the interests of the steel construction industry. In this regard, the Institute sponsors programs to aid developers, architects, engineers and construction managers in using structural steel for buildings and structures. The geographical area served by the Institute encompasses the City of New York and the adjacent counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester. The Institute also publishes Metals in Construction magazine in conjunction with the Ornamental Metal Institute of New York to showcase its contractor members’ most noteworthy projects.

Eligibility

Q: Who is eligible?
A: The Metals in Construction magazine 2025 Design Challenge (the Challenge) is open to any individual or team of architects, engineers and/or designers at the professional and/or student level. Collaboration between disciplines and/or levels is permitted and encouraged.

Q: I do not live in the United States, am I eligible to enter this competition?
A: Yes, international submissions are welcome.

Proposal Development

Q: What type of proposals are you looking for?
A: Submissions should be original and at the conceptual stage of development. Please refer to the Design Brief for additional details.

Q: Will any information as far as site plans, sections, elevations of the existing conditions, or site boundaries be sent to entrants?
A: You are permitted to use whatever information you can find through your own research; however, the only design requirements are outlined in the Design Brief. As stated in the FAQ, submissions should be at the conceptual stage of development.

Q: I am not sure if my proposal qualifies. How can I find out?
A: In general, if your proposal includes the qualities outlined above and in the Design Brief, it may be entered. Email info@metalsinconstruction.org to address any unanswered questions.

Registration and Submission

Q: What information will I need to register and submit my proposal?
A: The Registration form will require contact info for you and your collaborators (Entrant Information) and supporting images uploaded as a PDF (Proposal Visualization).

Q: How do I register and submit my project?
A: Visit the Registration page of www.metalsinconstruction.org and complete all sections, including uploading your Proposal Visualization PDF, before submitting the Registration form. The submission process is entirely electronic. Email info@metalsinconstruction.org with any questions. Your submission may be modified as many times as you like before the final deadline of 11:59 p.m. EST on March 13, 2025.

Q: Should my entry be anonymous?
A: Yes, entries must be completely anonymous. For the judging to be impartial the Proposal Visualization PDF should not include individual or company names, images, CV/resume, or any personal information that could identify the individual or team. The entrant information is removed from your Registration form and only revealed after the judges have decided on the winner and runners-up.

Q: What if I am a member of one of the jury member’s firms?
A: The submission will qualify as long as the entry complies with the rules of anonymity listed above and the jury member is in no way involved in the creation or submission of the entry.

Q: How many images can I submit and how big should they be?
A: Your Proposal Visualization should include up to ten (10) images in a multi-page PDF to specifically support your proposal, such as diagrams or renderings. The PDF will be considered on-screen by the judges and should be formatted at 11”x17” (ledger/A3) size with a landscape orientation. Maximum allowable file size is 20MB. If you win or are selected as a runner-up you will need to provide high-resolution, publication quality images to competition staff.

Q: There is only space to add my name in the registration field. Where can I add my teammates’ names?
A: Please add your team members’ names under the “Additional Notes” section of the page that appears when you upload your project PDF. This portion will not be reviewed by the jury and so will maintain the team’s anonymity.

Q: When is the competition deadline?
A: All materials are due by March 13, 2025 11:59 p.m. EST. Once you register via this site, you may log in and edit your competition entry as many times as you like until the deadline.

Judging

Q: What are the judging criteria?
A: The jury will be looking for evidence of serious consideration of the Design Brief; please consider its language carefully. In addition, they will keep in mind the elements of all innovative design in the 21st century: systems thinking, sustainable methods and materials, excellence of aesthetic expression, technological innovation; and the economic potential of your idea.

Q: When will you announce the winner, and how will the winner be notified?
A: The winner(s) and runners-up will be notified and announced publicly in March 2025 following jury deliberations.

Q: Are there any consolation prizes?
A: Only the winner(s) will receive a prize up to $15,000. Any runners up will not receive a monetary prize. They will be acknowledged with publicity through the Institute’s print and/or digital media channels.

Q: Will any portion of my entry be made public?
A: Yes, the names, ideas, and images of the winner, runners up, and sometimes other projects of interest will be published in Metals in Construction, siny.org and ominy.org, and/or other outlets. By entering the competition, you are agreeing that the Institute can publish your materials. You will always be credited.

Q: The Official Rules state that the Institute will have full rights to publish the work as they see fit without any prior approval from the designer. Does this mean they assume the right of ownership to the submitted design or product idea?
A: No, it does not mean that the Institute assumes the right of ownership to the idea. It means that you are granting us physical and electronic rights to the images and information submitted. We have the right to publish them freely without notifying you or further obtaining your permission.

Q: My question was not addressed in the FAQ, whom can I contact?
A: Email info@metalsinconstruction.org to address any unanswered questions.