Twist on Construction Materials Reduces Cost for Apt. Project

Dallas–At Park 4200, a new 80-unit Dallas apartment property, general contractor Galaxy Builders Ltd. employed a construction method that saved project developer Throckmorton L.P. both money and time. Galaxy switched the conventional concrete for cold-formed steel (CFS) to build part of the project and it made all the financial difference.

Galaxy partnered with Nucon Steel and structural engineer AG&E Associates to configure WDG Architecture Inc.-designed Park 4200’s construction with a combination of CFS and concrete. The company relied on cast-in-place concrete to develop the building’s three-level parking structure, but for the six floors of residential units that sit atop the garage, the contractor turned to CFS.

Characterized by light weight, high strength and a non-combustible composition, CFS has been a favorite for commercial development, but it is not so commonly employed in multi-family projects. “Minimal schedule interruptions in winter weather, termite and mold resistance, and noncombustible construction are some of the reasons why steel framing has come to the forefront as one of the most feasible load-bearing building materials for mid-rise construction,” Don Moody, General Manager, Nucon Steel, tells MHN. “The significant cost savings on the overall project and the competitive position of steel framing against other construction materials was a decisive factor for using steel at Park 4200.”

Utilizing both materials instead of only concrete resulted in a savings of $4.20 per-square-foot for Park 4200’s 99,000 square-foot interior space, or approximately $400,000. “Park 4200 is the perfect example of how steel framing can be used for structural applications on multi-story buildings as high as nine stories,” Mark Nowak, President of the Steel Framing Alliance, tells MHN. “At the Steel Framing Alliance our goal is to continue to provide resources to both owners and builders so that they can explore innovative and cost-effective steel framing solutions for their next project.”

Additionally, incorporating CFS shaved three months off the construction schedule, marking a 16 percent decrease in the original timeline. The delivery of a project under budget and before deadline is every developer’s dream.