NSC constructed 4,500 tons of structural steel — including extensive architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS) — for the award-winning BOK Center in Tulsa, OK. The project earned an AISC IDEAS² Award for its innovative steel geometry, long-span roof systems, and striking architectural form.
Structural Steel Erection
Erected 4,500 tons of structural steel for the main bowl, long-span roof trusses, perimeter systems, catwalks, and concourses
Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS)
Installed complex, high-visibility AESS components essential to the arena’s sculptural exterior and interior geometry
Worked with tight tolerances for curved, sloping, and tapered members forming the arena’s signature architectural silhouette
Dramatic Geometry
The BOK Center features six distinct exterior wall geometries — each composed of wide-flange columns sloped 10° out of plumb and interlocking “sliver roofs”
This creates the building’s dynamic, twisting form and large interior concourses with extensive daylighting
Icon Wall
A dramatic 75-ft-tall sloping glass “Icon Wall” forms the main entry
Supported by an 8-ft-deep steel box girder cantilevering 80 ft over the entrance
Lateral support provided by 4 ft 8 in–deep AESS vertical pipe trusses spaced at 17 ft 6 in
Long-Span Roof System
The roof over the arena bowl features two box trusses spanning 330 ft
Box trusses taper from 30 ft deep at midspan to approximately 18.5 ft at the ends
Infill trusses spaced at 37.5 ft transfer loads to perimeter steel ring beams
