build forward 2025

Competition Rules & GUidelines

ALLPLAN Awards

SDS2 Steel Projects

competition rules and guidelines

The ALLPLAN Awards for SDS2 Steel Projects, previously known as the SDS2 Solid Steel Awards, celebrate the many outstanding projects detailed and delivered with the use of SDS2 by ALLPLAN. 

They showcase the impressive scope of what's possible in SDS2, from the creative to the technical, and celebrate the creative and technical prowess of our users from around the world. 

Below is everything you need to know about entering your projects and participating in the competition. 


 

What's at stake?

Along with the pride and prestige that comes with winning, one Grand Prize winner in each category, along with the Customer’s Choice Award winner, will receive:

  • Award trophy
  • $200 Amazon gift card
  • One complimentary registration pass to Build Forward 2026
  • Recognition on social media and website
  • Featured project case study on the SDS2 blog


The second place winner in each category will receive:

  • Award plaque
  • Recognition on social media and website

who and what is eligible?

WHO: Any customer with a current maintenance contract or subscription can submit a project.

What: Eligible projects include any complete or nearly complete projects created within the last three years. They must be submitted in SDS2 version 2021 or any more recent release.  

Companies may submit up to one project in each of the four categories:

  • Commercial – Small Tonnage (for projects under 700 tons)
    Ex: Office, residential, educational, recreational, etc.
  • Commercial – Large Tonnage (for projects 700 tons and over)
    Ex: Office, residential, educational, recreational, etc.
  • Industrial
    Ex: manufacturing facilities, processing plants, warehouse, refineries, etc.
  • Complex Miscellaneous
    Ex: balconies, staircases, decorative steel, or other unique components that don’t fit traditional structural categories

 

How it works

A panel of ALLPLAN judges will evaluate each project entry based on: 

  • Project aesthetics
  • Complexity of structure and connections
  • Use of ALLPLAN software to solve project challenges. For example, the use of parametrics, custom members, automatic and user-modeled features.
  • Overall "wow" factor — project uniqueness and creativity in execution


Finalists will be chosen from all categories to be presented for the Customer’s Choice award, which will be open to public vote. 

Winners will be announced at Build Forward 2025, taking place October 15-16 in Omaha, Nebraska. 

What you’ll need to enter

To submit your project, you’ll need to login and fill out the online entry form to tell us what makes your project worth an award. You’ll be able to save your progress and return to your submission at any time, but before you start, you'll want to think about:

  • The background story and context for this project
  • Notable structural features or challenging geometry
  • How connections were handled on this project
  • How you used SDS2 to solve problems and succeed on this project


We’ll also need some supporting materials to judge your submission, including:

  • Your packaged SDS2 project
  • High quality images of your model that highlight key features and showcase important details of your project.
    • Note: Model images should be presented on SDS2’s default light background.
  • (Optional) Architectural renderings or photographs of your project during fabrication or erection or after its completion.
  • A signed copy of the ALLPLAN Awards License and Release Agreement. 


Together, the written descriptions and supporting images should give the judges a comprehensive understanding of what makes your project unique, special, and worth consideration for the top prizes. They will also help ALLPLAN promote your project if you are selected as a finalist or winner! 

 

What you should know

By participating in the contest, you’re giving ALLPLAN consent to use and publish details about your submission, and you confirm that you have permission to share all provided materials without infringing upon any third-party rights. 

Make sure you carefully read and understand the ALLPLAN Awards License and Release Agreement before submitting your materials. 

allplan awards

sds2 steel projects


Previously known as the “SDS2 Solid Steel Awards”

Submit your projects

 

 

 

 

commercial

From skyscrapers and retail spaces to educational facilities and airports, the Commercial Steel awards honor steel projects that balance innovation, functionality, and aesthetic appeal while meeting the unique demands of commercial construction. 

Commercial projects can be submitted in two categories:

  • Large Tonnage (over 700 tons)
  • Small Tonnage (under 700 tons) 

Industrial

This award recognizes steel projects in industrial applications—such as manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and processing plants—that demonstrate efficiency, durability, and the ability to meet complex operational requirements. 

Complex Miscellaneous

This category is for technically challenging projects that do not fit traditional structural categories. Think stairs, balconies, canopies, walkways, or other unique components that showcase creative problem solving, ingenuity, and advanced detailing techniques.


Explore past winners: 2024 2023 2022