Think You Have What It Takes to Be a S.T.A.R.?

Get your applications in for the FRSA S.T.A.R Award by April 10, 2018.

In 2013, Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) held the first annual S.T.A.R. Awards – the Spotlight Trophy for the Advancement of Roofing – an event highlighting industry projects throughout Florida.

Under the leadership of then president-elect Rob Springer, CPRC, FRSA’s Convention Committee established categories and project criteria, submission and judging guidelines, and promotional material. The first S.T.A.R. Award presentation took place during the 2013 Convention and Expo.

FRSA leadership expected interest in the S.T.A.R. Awards to gradually grow, but were astonished with the results for the first year. Not only in terms of submissions, but in the number of attendees who attended the S.T.A.R. Awards dinner.

FRSA members submitted their roofing projects completed during the previous year, along with an application detailing the project, and in-progress and completion photos for placement in one of six categories.

Project submission required a description including tear-off (if applicable), preparation, design work, installation, problem solving and any other information that might be unique to the job, such as safety requirements or field fabrication.

Categories for submission included:

• Sustainable
• Community Service
• Steep Slope
• Low Slope
• Specialty Metal
• Unique

A panel of three industry professionals was established to review the submitted projects. Judging criteria included, but was not limited to: aesthetics, size, completion time, special circumstances, unique project design, complexity of project, workmanship, teamwork, testimonials, and creative problem solving. The judges selected three projects in each of the six categories to receive either first, second or third place S.T.A.R. Awards.

In 2015, the Convention Committee added a new category to recognize one overall outstanding project to receive the Shining Star Award, which recognizes the best overall roofing project of all the S.T.A.R. Award submissions.

The award was given to Advanced Roofing Inc., Fort Lauderdale, owner Rob Kornahrens, for their Frost School of Music at the University of Miami project.

The project team members are:

• Estimator: Clint Sockman
• Project Managers: Jessica Kornahrens, Paul Burns
• Superintendent: David Baytosh, Tom Mahon
• Foremen: Omar Recalde, Luis Razzetti, Richard Campos
• Manufacturers: Siplast, Hanover, Guardian, Sunlink, Canadian Solar, SMA Inverters
• General Contractor: Skanska USA Building, Inc.
• Architects: Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaun, Inc. (HOK)
• Superintendent; And, the project’s MVP, David Baytosh,

Designed by award-winning architects Yann Weymouth and HOK, and constructed by Skanska USA, the University of Miami's (UM) new Frost School of Music facility boasts two buildings with 41,089 square feet of upscale teaching spaces and beautiful curb appeal. Located on UM’s Coral Gables campus, the Patricia Louise Frost Music Studios – with triangle-shaped energy efficient windows and solar arrays – is the first LEED® Platinum certified building project in the City of Coral Gables.

In 2014, Skanska USA, the project's General Contractor, awarded roofing, waterproofing, and solar project scopes to Advanced Roofing, Inc. (ARI), which is a Siplast approved installer with the in-house capabilities for the project.

Working on a new construction building on an active university campus created several challenges, including stringent safety measures, exacting production coordination, and meeting the contractor’s requirement on a project registered for the LEED Green Building Rating System.

Safety requirements from Skanska and ARI’s in-house safety procedures were demanding. Production scheduling with so many trades on-site meant a high level of coordination and organization was needed, especially working alongside electrical contractors for the rooftop solar energy system. ARI’s role in assisting with LEED Platinum certification of the building included the following sustainable design features: rooftop solar array, Siplast mod-bit roof system with Eco Active cap sheet to help reduce pollution, and Siplast waterproofing system with raised pavers.

As a reminder, the deadline for submission for the 2018 awards is April 10, 2018. To view more pictures of all award-winning projects and to learn more about the awards , visit www.floridaroof.com/star-awards.