ALLENTOWN, Pa. — ATAS International was the grand prize winner of the Metal in Architecture Awards, which was presented at METALCON in Tampa, Fla. earlier this month. 

The David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago was the overall winning project, and it also won in the category of walls. A panel of judges comprised of the Metal Construction Association (MCA) council chairs and other metal construction and design industry experts determined the winners. Entries were judged based on the use of metal in design and construction as shown on the project photographs. 

The David Rubenstein Forum project utilized 60,000 square feet of custom Versa-Lok and custom fabricated wall panels that were manufactured by ATAS in 1.0 mm grey zinc. The panels were used as exterior wall cladding on this 166-foot-tall building consisting of 10 stories. They were installed by Tuschall Engineering of Burr Ridge, Ill., and the architects for the project included Diller Scofidio + Renfro of New York City, and Brininstool + Lynch of Chicago. 

The $1,000 grand prize that ATAS received as the overall awards winner was donated to Feeding Tampa Bay, which for 2021 is part of METALCON’s annual giving back program.

ATAS also received two awards in METALCON’s Top Products competition. This awards program was created to showcase the metal industry’s top products and technologies at METALCON. Winners were determined by an electronic vote. ATAS received the Top Product award in the Walls and the Alternative Energy categories.

For the Walls category, Omawall was chosen, which is a new product offering for ATAS. Omawall is an architectural back ventilated rainscreen wall panel, available in standard and custom size options. It offers a unique dry joint interlocking system that allows for quick and easy installation without gaskets or metal splines. 

For the Alternative Energy category, the InSpire HP panel was selected. This is a new high-performance solar air heating wall panel that can be used as a heating system on its own, or to supplement a building’s heating system. It can also be used for processes, such as drying of crops.

“The Metal in Architecture and Top Products awards at METALCON this year were a great addition to the conference," said Jim Bush, vice president of ATAS. "Along with the Architect’s Experience, the Solar Center, and the IMP Pavilion, the show continues to grow and to appeal to many different professions that are involved in the design and construction of buildings. ATAS is pleased to have won these awards, and we are already looking forward to participating next year at METALCON in Indianapolis.”