Metal is not only a sustainable building material, but also a beautiful one. The more than 70 submissions for this year’s Project Excellence Awards all showcased the intricacies and possibilities that metal holds. No project was too large, too small, or too complex to feature the wonders of metal.
This year’s overall winner—from the Metal Buildings Systems Buildings category—was Thirty75 Tech, a six-level commercial office with an elevated entry plaza and a five-level open-air parking garage with basement. As one judge indicated, “This project exemplifies how versatile and beautiful metal can be.”
In addition to our overall winner, there were six category winners, listed here:
- Metal Roofing – New Construction: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Sky Train Stage 2 Extension
- Metal Roofing – Retrofit: Southwood Elementary
- Metal Walls – New Construction: Texas A&M University Southside Rec Center
- Metal Walls – Retrofit: Holualoa Renovation
- Metal Buildings Systems Buildings: Dell Jewish Community Center
- Metal Craftsmanship: S-5! Corporate Headquarters
Congratulations to all our winners, who are featured in the following pages. Read on to discover why they must be commended for their unparalleled execution and creativity in metal.
OVERALL WINNER: Thirty75 Tech
Thirty75 Tech is a six-level commercial office with elevated entry plaza and a five-level parking garage. Located at the intersection of San Tomas Expressway and Scott Boulevard in Santa Clara, Calif., the project nestles into the urban location and creates a new public space against the backdrop of office parks and highways of Silicon Valley.
The design team included a civic space to foster community engagement; however, there was a fundamental challenge: solar heat gain and glare to the south- and west-facing facades.
To achieve Thirty75’s energy-efficiency goal, an array of fixed aluminum louvers was devised to guard against solar heat gain while providing floor-to-floor glazed curtain walls, 360-degree views, and daylight penetration. The animated louver facade is activated with time and light shifting throughout the day. The airfoil-shape louvers are custom extrusions of Alloy 6005-T5 with PPG Duranar Finish. Each of the vertical units is made of a combination of rotations that were studied and tested through parametric design validated by interactive energy modeling. There are 28 unitized panel variations, and each panel contains seven vertical louver units with some exceptions at corners. The design team used a generative parametric modeling process to calculate the louver length, width, and rotation to meet the shading requirements.
Although two materials were evaluated for the louvers—terracotta and aluminum—aluminum was selected because of the substantial weight reduction, durability during transportation and installation, ease of maintenance, machinability/modification for unitized fabrication needs, and availability of finishes and colors. The design team chose a metallic color by PPG Duranar, which varies depending on the louvers’ rotation and occupants’ view angles.
The sunshade facade was closely developed with subcontractors and consultants in effort to establish the most efficient systems. The curtain wall, catwalk, and sunshade systems, while being three separate components, are highly integrated with one another giving functional access, structural support, and showcasing a dynamic relationship between the sunshade and the curtain wall glazing.
Judges’ Comments
“A stunning example of how metal can be used in an unexpected way, and successful on multiple scales. Complex, skillful, and creative fine detailing results in a simple but powerful form.” — David Sorg
“The random vertical wood-like feature offers a softened feel to the hard glass element.” — James C. Tuschall
“This sunscreen is an elegant solution that embraces functionality and beauty. Like the movement of sun across the sky, this facade changes throughout the day depending on the lighting and viewpoint. It appears truly simple and highly complex at the same time.” — Alan Reed
Thirty75 Tech, Santa Clara, Calif.
- Total Area: 46,947 m2 (505,330 sf)
- Building Owner: MDY Properties, Inc.
- Architect: Verse Design LA
- General Contractor: Truebeck Construction Inc.
- Metal Installers: AGA/AGS (sunshade louver); Viking Steel (catwalk and ornamental steel); and SME (structural steel)
Metal Building Systems Buildings: Dell Jewish Community Center
The new Dell Jewish Community Center in Austin, Texas, was designed around the concept of a “multigenerational” town square, the open spaces fostering interaction and inclusivity.
The priority for Beck Architecture was to make the spaces both welcoming and inspiring, benefiting visitors to the building.
Metal was used to create a divider in the building without feeling closed off. The decorative Deco Bronze 2 Vertical Baffle Fins from Pure + FreeForm draw attention to the front desk from the inside and from the outside through the large glass windows. There is a distinct art deco feel to this bronze color, but rather than creating a geometric finish, the design team opted for a more antiqued distressing, making it more flexible while taking on both brass and bronze qualities.
Since each batch of aluminum has a natural variation of its raw color, there is variety in the depth of the surface, allowing for manipulation of levels of glint and glow. In addition, the metal is Red List-free, health product declaration (HPD)-compliant, non-combustible, and 100 percent recyclable.
Judges’ Comments
“The decorative baffles add a sense of place to this project. As a focal point within, they activate the space while blending seamlessly with the overall design. This is a great example of the versatility of metal and the richness of finishes available to designers today.” — Alan Reed
“The use of metal in this project serves as a stunning backdrop to the primary stair, and beautifully complemented the warmth of wood used throughout.” — David Sorg
“This is a great example of using metal for interior spaces to create a refreshing clean, simple look.” — James C. Tuschall
Dell Jewish Community Center, Austin, Texas
- Total Area: 3,716 m2 (40,000 sf)
- Architect: Beck Architecture
- General Contractor: IE2 Construction
- Metal Installer: NOW Specialties
METAL ROOFING (new construction): Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Sky Train Stage 2 Extension
Sky Harbor International Airport’s automated intermodal train system provides transportation from Phoenix’s light rail through the terminals, parking facilities, 24th Street Station, and Rental Car Center (RCC).
The curving overhanging roofs dominate the designs and provide cover for passengers and train traffic. The 24th Street Station roof curves from end to end to accommodate future over-the-road bridge connections, while the RCC Station roof curves from side to side to shelter passengers from the sun. These dynamic forms mimic the constant movement of automated trains and complement the fluid lines in aviation design. The roofs were parametrically modeled to provide passenger shade and direct rainwater to two locations along a perimeter gutter. The fascia’s silversmith coating complements the airport’s material palette, airplanes, and automated trains.
The extension represents an upgrade to the airport’s ground transportation services, replacing the bus system that originally transferred passengers. This modernization needed a complementary material for the fascia and roofing. Metal panels and roofing are used elsewhere on airport buildings, further tying the stations into the airport material palette. The self-cleaning attribute of the coated metal panel ensures the roofs never look dirty. Since these stations are designed to last as long as the guideways and train systems, the durability of materials is important. Aluminum gave them the durability to outlast most buildings’ life expectancy.
Though the design team considered natural metal products, in the end, coil-coated aluminum standing seam and aluminum composite metal panels were selected due to their natural metal aesthetic with reduced cost. Detailing of aluminum systems also carried less risk with reduced galvanic reactions between dissimilar metals. These factors helped the exterior envelope design fall within the budget.
The lightweight metal system helped in the overall erection time and positively impacted the sizing of the supporting structure. The client’s experience with metal roofing was a key driver for using metal panels. They agreed with the designers that the coil-coated metal panel was the best choice for low-maintenance material due to the 30-year warranty and the fade-resistant natural metal paint color.
Judges’ Comments
“Great workmanship curving in multiple directions.” — James C. Tuschall
“This roof is just beautiful. It has a sense of movement that is appropriate for this project. In addition, it offers a dynamic contrast to the more common rectilinear vertical surfaces that comprise the remainder of the project.”
— Alan Reed
“Metal is the perfect choice to effortlessly stretch across the undulating structure defining both interior and exterior spaces. Surprisingly, it’s both rational and organic and unapologetically iconic.” — David Sorg
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Sky Train Stage 2 Extension, Phoenix, Ariz.
- Total Area: 7,989.6 m2 (86,000 sf)
- Building Owner: City of Phoenix
- Architect: SmithGroup / Gannett Fleming
- General Contractor: Hensel Phelps
- Metal Installer: Kovach
METAL ROOFING (retrofit): Southwood Elementary
Metal roofing is not just for the commercial sector anymore. The education sector is getting in on the metal action. One such school is Southwood Elementary, located at 5850 Highway #8 in Davidson County, N.C., and opened in 1978. Southwood, with its original flat roof, has the type of roof system that covered many school roofs built in the ’60s through to the ’80s, according to Chuck Howard, PE, of Metal Roof Consultants.
Metal was used for the Southwood’s framing and the standing seam roof, which was placed over its existing flat roof. Metal was chosen for its life span (which can last 50 years) and its durability compared to that of flat roof systems. A metal roofing system is also energy efficient, achieving a thermal efficiency rating of R-40 or higher; it also provides weathertightness and keeps maintenance to a minimum.
Southwood’s retrofit metal roof can now alleviate two main problems that occur with a flat roof, according to Howard. First, it will add slope to the flat roof. Second, the roof will be coated with material that is not affected by ultraviolet (UV) and has minimal reduction in is protective coating.
Judges’ Comments
“This is a really clean and well-crafted, sustainable approach to reroofing the school.” — Alan Reed
“This roof has a clean, smooth geometry.”
— James C. Tuschall
“The roof becomes the element that knits together an otherwise large, complex series of building forms.” — David Sorg
Southwood Elementary, Davidson County, N.C.
- Total Area: 8,222 m2 (88,500 sf)
- Building Owner: Davidson County Schools
- Architect: Chuck Howard with Metal Roof Consultants
- General Contractor: LaFaves Construction Company Inc.
- Metal Installer: LaFaves Construction Company Inc.
METAL WALLS (new construction): Texas A&M University Southside Rec Center
With the largest student body in the state, Texas A&M University needed a new satellite recreation facility.
The grand entry plaza of the Southside Rec Center anchors the pedestrian path connecting the residential dorms to the new entry. The main canopy extends south along Bizzell Street and works with the existing oak trees to provide shade for fitness spaces and a sidewalk that pulls the campus into the activity of the courts, lobby, strength and conditioning high bay, and an outdoor fitness terrace.
Patterns in the ribbed metal panel provide texture, while box rib patterns provide variety under the facade’s dark bronze color. The patterns delineate the sections, and a change in the pattern’s rhythm marks the transition. A perforated box rib metal scrim at the entry plaza mimics the oak trees. Profiles and perforation sizes extend the visual rhythm and shade the entry plaza and glazing of the courts and lobby. The single-skin metal panels stretch the building’s investment to achieve more amenities, including a terrace, two volleyball courts, and an area for fitness classes and functional training. The 300-mm (12-in.) wide panels fit the stretches of facade that enclose the large high bay of the strength and conditioning space.
Metal was selected to complement the campus context and its economic cost range. The design team achieved a high-quality design through simple, thoughtful details that synchronized the palette of exterior materials from limestone to flat composite metal panels to single-skin ribbed metal panels.
Judges’ Comments
“The simple varied placement of different metal panels allows for a classic natural color shading.” — James C. Tuschall
“The use of the metal panels on this project perfectly complements the stone and glass used elsewhere on the facade and creates a stunning composition that complements its context. I love the patterns the perforated panels project on the facade.” — Alan Reed
“Varied corrugation spacing creates a simple, yet dynamic facade. The restraint in the building form and composition allows the metal’s materiality and detailing to take center stage.” — David Sorg
Texas A&M University Southside Rec Center, College Station, Texas
- Total Area: 5,852.9 m2 (63,000 sf)
- Building Owner: Texas A&M University System
- Architect: SmithGroup
- General Contractor: Manhattan Construction Group
- Metal Installer: Auzmet Architectural Inc.
METAL WALLS (retrofit): Holualoa Renovation
Metal panels were selected for the retrofit walls of Holualoa office building in Tucson, Ariz., as the panels were able to be customized and perforated. The 221 perforated custom aluminum panels (in a variety of sizes) were used to clad one side of the building, creating a sunshade.
The building was originally built in the 1980s with brutalist architecture proportions of thick masonry walls, flat facades, tall soffits, and heavy railings. The building owners planned to move their headquarters onto the second floor and lease out the first floor. The goal of this renovation was to remodel the exterior of the second floor by creating new openings for daylight, provide improved solar performance, and create a dynamic exterior that guided visitors’ attention to the second floor.
The carefully articulated openings were created in the existing masonry facade and a new perforated aluminum scrim was installed. The perforated scrim not only created a new presence for the occupants of the second floor but also screened direct light and shaded the facade. The custom corrugated pattern provides depth and ever-changing shadow lines.
The design took about six months and then another six months for construction. Careful planning and detailed fabrication design allowed the metal work to be installed in a relatively short time.
Judges’ Comments
“This project is a great use of perforated panels and shows how a simple, well-detailed facade can help unify the overall composition.”
— Alan Reed
“A single, clear ‘big idea’ successfully carries this retrofit fit project with the perforated screen wall creating a striking new facade that appears alive as the sun path moves throughout the day.” — David Sorg
“The perforations cast interesting shadows on the vertical columns.”
— James C. Tuschall
Holualoa Renovation, Tucson, Ariz.
- Architect: repp + mclain design and construction
- General Contractor: repp + mclain design and construction
- Metal Installer: repp + mclain design and construction
METAL CRAFTMANSHIP: S-5! Headquarters
Located on more than 1.8 ha (4.5 acres) in the heart of Black Forest, Colo., S-5!’s two-story office building sports exterior and interior custom metal finishes yielding a comfortable yet provocative space. The goals of the project included blending into the local Black Forest surroundings in a tasteful and non-intrusive, non-disruptive way.
The use of native timber and natural moss rock is harmonious with the rural mountains and local architecture. Corten steel provides a rustic appearance. Custom-made metal exterior and interior finishes intentionally incorporate the application of metal in all aspects of design and construction—harmonizing interior with exterior and demonstrating the possibilities of its use while pulling together an industrial yet warm look and feel.
Each office space throughout the building creatively incorporates metal roofing profiles. Common spaces also include metal wall panels; for example, a large mountainscape crafted in metal tile in the downstairs hallway ties in the local surroundings. Other elements accenting the intentional use of metal include exposed spiral ductwork (post-painted galvanized in metallic copper) and custom-fabricated hand and stair railings (steel-black powder coated). Break room decor includes hammered copper tables with forged and cast-iron bases, light fixtures made of steel piping, copper lamp shades, and hammered metal door handles and door trim. Restroom decor includes hammered copper sinks and custom-welded toilet paper holders.
Due to metal’s extended service life, low consumption of natural resources, zero-petroleum byproducts, and 85 percent recyclability, it is the best choice to achieve sustainable design objectives. In addition, it is part of S-5!’s core values to be a driving contributor in making metal the preferred material for the design and construction industry.
Judges’ Comments
The attention to detail with the different types of metal brings life to an otherwise straightforward building.” — David Sorg
“Terrific use of blending metal panels and natural materials into the local environment.” — James C. Tuschall
“This is a really wonderful experiment in pushing the limits of metal—from standard profiles to custom fabrication and the multitude of finishes available. The use of metal products throughout is handled deftly to help unify space and create a building appropriate to its setting.” — Alan Reed
S-5! Corporate Headquarters Black Forest, Colorado Springs, Colo.
- Total Area: 1,212.4 m2 (13,050 sf)
- Building Owner: Black Forest LLC/Rob Haddock
- Architect: PWN Architects and Planners, Inc.
- General Contractor: CM Construction Management Group of CO
- Metal Installers: Weathercraft Company (exterior coverings); Bo Steel Inc. (custom railings, staircases, and exterior Corten steelements); Pro Steel Inc. (support building erector); and Natural Metal Associates (interior restroom custom metal partitions)
A Heartfelt Thank You
Metal Construction News would like to thank our three judges for their time and dedication in evaluating these submissions. With a combined 115 years of experience, these experts had no trouble selecting our winning projects. Thank you again, gentlemen!
Alan Reed: President and design principal, GWWO Architects
Years in the Business: 37
What do you love about the awards? “I really love seeing all of the creative uses of metal in architecture. The projects illustrate the versatility and beauty of this truly timeless material.”
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David Sorg: Principal, OPN Architects
Years in the Business: 30
What do you love about the awards? “I enjoy seeing the exceedingly creative approaches on how metal can be used on various project types and scales, particularly when the material use and detailing are elevated to something unexpected.”
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James C. Tuschall Sr.: President and CEO, Tuschall Engineering Company Inc.
Years in the Business: 48
What do you love about the awards? “For me, the best part of judging was viewing all the creative designs using metal panels. I felt honored to participate in bringing the best applications and workmanship forward.”
