Building Knowledge and Connections
Building Knowledge and Connections
Elevate Structures, a Central States’ company, a leader of innovation in framing solutions for living spaces, hospitality, and storage construction, in partnership with AEC Daily, one of the most trusted online education platforms for design professionals, is proud to announce the launch of a new AIA Continuing Education course - Fast, Scalable, Economical: The Benefits of Building with an Innovative Cold-Formed Steel Framing System (CFS).
A Course Unlike Any Other in the Metal Category
With nearly 600 on-demand courses on AEC Daily, only a handful focus on cold-form steel and Elevate’s is the first in this category to offer responsive formatting. Responsive is a smoother, more modern experience that resembles browsing a smart webpage. Responsive elements are incorporated—like icons and graphics learners can click on—to make the experience more engaging, especially for a younger audience. This course stands out for its technical depth, high-quality content, and real-world application, crafted by industry leaders with decades of experience.
Course Details
· Duration: 1 hour
· Formats: On-demand, instructor-led webinar, or live face-to-face presentation
· Eligibility: Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credits
· Availability: www.aecdaily.com/s/elevate.structures
What You’ll Learn
The AIA-certified course explores the challenges of traditional wood and structural steel framing, compared to an innovative, prefabricated cold-formed steel (CFS) column and composite beam system.
Participants will discover how this system:
· Installs 15,000 sq ft per week with a single crew
· Reduces the number of trades, trade coordination, and jobsite waste
· Cost effective scalable national platform
· Supports LEED point contributions and sustainability goals
Real-World Applications
Case studies span charter schools, living spaces, hospitality, and self-storage projects. The system’s speed-to-enclosure helps developers meet strict delivery timelines, simplifies floor-to-floor continuity, reduces typical mid-rise construction risks and equipment, and supports overall schedule compression to reach the roof faster.
Why This Course Matters
As extreme weather events intensify and building codes evolve, architects must adopt stronger, non-combustible framing methods. Elevate’s CFS system offers a scalable, portfolio-ready solution that meets today’s demands for resilience, cost-efficiency, and sustainability. Manufactured by Central States Inc., the system benefits from full vertical integration, ensuring quality control, domestic material sourcing, and reliable delivery timelines.
Experience and Expertise
The course was developed by Elevate’s Darby Owenby, Vice President of Operations at Elevate Structures. Darby is a licensed professional engineer in multiple states, holds an MBA from Troy University, and brings deep expertise in structural design, construction management, and operational leadership.
“This cold form framing system is already proven in nearly 350 projects across the United States, demonstrating its reliability and performance in demanding environments. We’re excited to offer this innovative cold-formed steel framing course to professionals in living spaces, hospitality, and education sectors, where speed, scalability, and safety are critical. We believe this is a game-changer for anyone looking to improve their construction standards and meet the evolving needs of today’s built environment,” Owenby said.