CHICAGO — The Metal Construction Association’s (MCA) 2022 Design Awards were announced at METALCON, a major industry event held in Indianapolis Oct. 12-14.

Formerly known as the Chairman’s Awards, the new MCA Design Awards recognize member companies involved in the construction of outstanding building projects that use metal in significant and innovative ways. The panel of judges included Travis Wendt, owner, Metallic Products; Rick Harlan Schneider, AIA, APA, LEED, principal, ISTUDIO Architects; Paul Mankins FAIA, LEED AP, founding partner of substancearchitecture; and Erik Mehlman, AIA, partner, BuildSense. The group selected 10 winners from submitted projects that highlight the use of metal to enhance the design of a building.

“These winners showcase the stunning design possibilities with metal,” says James Bush, executive committee chair of MCA. “They are truly inspiring.” 

The categories and winners are:

Residential Roof: Private Retreat, Lake Huron, Ontario 

This private retreat on the forested shores of Lake Huron in Ontario includes five cabins each with a metal envelope. The zinc panels provide a weather-resistant, self-healing, corrosion-resistant material with a potential lifespan of 100 years. At the end of its useful life on the buildings, the metal remains 100% recyclable.

MCA Member Company: Rheinzink and Sheet Metal Supply

Architect: Booth Hansen

Contractor: Thomas Young Builders

Metal Installer: Alpro Sheet Metal

Commercial Roof: Lone Oaks Farm Hunter Education Station, Middleton, Tenn. 

Black corrugated metal was chosen for these two educational buildings for its simple elegance and the beauty of the contrast with the wood interior. Durability and longevity were also key pragmatic drivers. The selected ribbed metal panels provide a protective, cost-effective skin to the buildings.

MCA Member Company:  Sherwin Williams

Architect: El Dorado

Contractor: MSB Construction

First Place, Ornamental: Louis Vuitton retail store, Miami Design District, Miami, Fla. 

This building is the first freestanding Louis Vuitton men’s store in the United States and the second in the world. With exposed concrete, local artwork, and blue leather handrails, the building features a modern industrial theme that fits the district’s sleek, upscale aesthetic. The project called for a diamond-patterned façade that pays homage to the luxury brand’s classic monogram motif. White plate metal paneling customized with a perforated design achieved the desired look and has been dubbed the “diamond façade,” an aesthetic which could only be accomplished with metal.

MCA Member Company: MG McGrath

Architect: AGA Architects

Contractor: Dickinson Cameron

Metal Installer: MG McGrath

Second Place, Ornamental: Louisville Free Public Library Northeast Regional Branch, Louisville, Ky. 

The eco-friendly, LEED Gold project utilizes green building construction methods and metal materials to achieve the goals of energy-saving, quality-of-life, and reduced operating costs. The double standing seam zinc panels form the façade’s arch on the exterior. Inside, overlapping metal “curtains” frame openings to reveal the activity within the library’s contemporary interior.

MCA Member Company: Rheinzink

Architects: JRA Architects and MSR Design

Contractors: Sullivan/Cozart

Metal Installer: American Roofing & Metal, Kentucky Mirror & Plate Glass

Insulated Metal Panels: Rose Hill building, New York City

This 45-story residential building in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood features an expressive glass and metallic bronze façade, accented with chevron patterns, intricate detailing and expansive windows, referencing a modern update to a classically gothic aesthetic. Large, 16-foot insulated metal panels (IMPs) work in harmony with the building’s unique design, inspired from the neighborhood’s variety of building styles and the Rockefeller Group’s developments.

MCA Member Company: Kingspan Insulated Panels and 3A Composites

Architect: CetraRuddy Architecture

Contractor: Lendlease Construction

Metal Installer: W&W Glass

Metal Composite Material: MCPL Colbern Road Library Center, Lee’s Summit, Mo. 

With the goal of modernizing the aesthetic of the entire library system, the library’s design uses architectural metals to create a stunning exterior, unlike the typical library. The architect envisioned a paper airplane inspired by the idea of transferring knowledge and passing notes as children. Only metal could achieve the look of folded paper for the building wall. Metal composite material (MCM) panels were chosen for this project for their economy, ease of maintenance, longevity and an enhanced modern aesthetic.

MCA Member Company: Sherwin Williams

Architect: SAPP Design Architects

Contractor: JE Dunn Construction

Metal Installer: Standard Sheet Metal

Single Skin Panels, First Place: Park Union Pedestrian Bridge, Colorado Springs, Colo. 

This new pedestrian, bike and wheelchair-friendly bridge takes its inspiration from the gravity-defying motion of athletes, with a 250-foot curved steel structure that floats above an active railyard. The prefabricated single skin panels allowed the bridge to be completed affordably and at a substantially faster build time.

MCA Member Company: MG McGrath

Architect: Diller Scofidio + Renfro 

Contractor: Kiewit Corporation

Metal Installer: MG McGrath

Single Skin Panels, Second Place: 100 Above the Park residential tower, St. Louis, Mo. 

The 380-foot-tall residential tower includes a glass and metal façade that tilts outward with each floor cascading to resemble a maple leaf, a design element inspired by the building’s proximity to Forest Park. Metal was chosen for its ability to long maintain its reflective yet diffuse quality to reflect the changing light and seasonal beauty of the landscape.

MCA Member Company: Lorin Industries

Architect: Studio Gang

Contractor: Clayco

Retrofit, First Place: EJ Basler, Shiller Park, Ill. 

This old masonry building had fallen into disrepair. Since the steel structure was in good shape, the solution to redo the metal building system, was both practical and an opportunity to evolve the existing style, rather than try to conceal it. New insulated metal panels provided an air and water barrier and fresh new look. The project transformed a neglected building into a clean, light-filled, efficient facility.

MCA Member Company: All Weather Insulated Metal Panels

Architect: Marc Amstadter

Contractor: Castelli Construction 

Metal Installer: Meco Erection, Inc.

Retrofit, Second Place: Saint Xavier High School Sangalli Center, Louisville, Ky. 

The city’s most historic Catholic high school sought to add classroom space and renovate their 40-year-old, standalone media center. The exterior of the media center is the campus’ new community focal point. The ability to mix color, texture, sheen, and structural capacity made metal a perfect material to embrace throughout this project.

MCA Member Company: Petersen Aluminum

Architect: JRA Architects

Contractor: Sullivan/Cozart

Metal Installer: Highland Roofing

For more information about the Metal Construction Association, visit metalconstruction.org.