Elevate structures launches AIA-Certified course on cold-formed steel framing innovation

The course was developed by Elevate’s Darby Owenby, vice president of operations at Elevate Structures.

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 onto 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: One hour
• Formats: On-demand, instructor-led webinar or live face-to-face presentation
• Eligibility: Health, safety and welfare (HSW) credits
• Availability: https://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, noncombustible 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 build environment,” Owenby said.

About Elevate Structures

Elevate Structures, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Villa Rica, Georgia, is a dedicated, nationwide team of construction experts who specialize in the design, manufacture, supply and installation of complete metal building packages serving commercial real estate construction. With decades of experience and over 1,500 completed projects across the United States, Elevate delivers industry-leading solutions and services for everything from self-storage facilities and midrise multifamily communities to hotels, campus housing and educational buildings. Their innovative, fast, nationally scalable Alpha Framing System is a modular light-gauge, cold-formed steel (CFS) framing system with proven, repeatable results in diverse climates, spaces and market conditions. Elevate Structures is a Central States Company, the nation’s leading metal building products company. This vertical integration ensures unparalleled quality from steel mill to jobsite and their innovative products and dedicated employee-owners deliver on a promise to be on-site, on-schedule, all the time