Each year, the North American Copper in Architecture (NACIA) Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts who examine the use of architectural copper in building design, installation craftsmanship and restoration. “To an architect, designer, or contractor, a NACIA Award is the most definitive proof of ingenuity, craftsmanship and design excellence,” explains Stephen Knapp, director of the Strip, Sheet, & Plate Council for the Copper Development Association. “Every year we are continuously stunned by the mesmeric applications of architectural copper, and, as its uses increase and installations become more diverse, the competition only becomes more and more formidable.” .

A total of 15 firms were presented with NACIA Awards this year. Projects are awarded under three different categories: new construction, restoration/renovation and interior ornamental. Here’s their best work.

Best in Bronze

Working with copper on your next job? Whether it’s is a residential structure, educational facility, government building, religious cathedral or temple, or even a small garage, the Copper Development Association wants to hear from you. To enter the 2019 North American Copper in Architecture Awards, visit copper.org.

1. West Block Rehabilitation Project Parliamentary in Ottawa, Ontario

Photo provided by ArcopFournier Gersovitz Moss Drolet Architects in Joint Venture

Restoration

Architects and Conservation Architects: Arcop/Fournier Gersovitz Moss Drolet Architects in Joint Venture

Sheet Metal Contractor: Heather and Little Ltd.

2. 130 Plumbers Training Facility in Chicago, Illinois

Photo provided by Tom Harris

Photo provided by Tom Harris

New Construction

3. Union Station in Toronto, Ontario

Photo provided by Jon Ouellette

Restoration

Architect: +VG Architects - The Ventin Group Ltd.

Sheet Metal Contractor: Semple Gooder Roofing Corporation

4. The Hadrian – Cornice Replication in New York, New York

Photo provided by Preserv Inc.

Restoration

Architect: Jan Hird Pokorny Associates, Inc.

Manufacturer: Ornametals Manufacturing, LLC.

5. The American Copper Buildings

Photo provided by SHoP Architects

Photo provided by SHoP Architects

New Construction

SHoP Architects

“The façade of the towers consists of two primary wall types: copper panels with punched openings on the north and south faces, and a minimal glass curtain wall for the east and west faces,” SHoP Architects explains. “Due to the dynamic nature of the massing, every panel on the default grid is either a parallelogram or tilted. In the copper system, nearly 5,000 copper curtain wall panels, with 4 different opening widths, are arranged to reinforce the effect of the bridge as a link between the towers.”

6. Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh, North Carolina

Photo provided by Baker Roofing Company

New Construction

Baker Roofing Company

7. Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge in Calgary, Alberta

Photo provided by GEC Architecture

New Construction

Architect: GEC Architecture

Sheet Metal Contractor: Thermal Systems

8. Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.

Photo provided by A. Zahner Company

Ornamental

Sheet Metal Roofing Contractor: The James Myers Company, Inc.

Engineer / Fabricator: A. Zahner Company

9. St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church in Brampton, Ontario

Photo provided by Janet Kimber

New Construction

Zimmerman Workshop Architecture + Design

10. Holbrook PreK-12 School in Holbrook, Massachusetts

Photo provided by Robert Umenhofer Photography, courtesy Consigli Construction Co., Inc.

Photo provided by Robert Umenhofer Photography, courtesy Consigli Construction Co., Inc.

New Construction

Architect: Flansburgh Architects

General Contractor: Consigli Construction Co., Inc.

“One of the project’s most distinctive architectural details involved cladding the school’s semi-circular façade with exterior copper panels,” explains Christian Riordan, project executive at Consigli Construction Co., Inc. “The coordination, installation, and detailing of the individual panels was complex, as the majority were placed on a radius. The attachment system was comprised of stainless steel heavy duty Z clips attached to the substrate. Plywood was attached to the Z clips and covered with a Tyvek DrainWrap. Finally, the panels were interlocked and screwed into place.”

11. Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in New Haven, Connecticut

Photo provided by Maurice Lavertue

Photo provided by Maurice Lavertue

Restoration

The Roofer LLC

12. Colorado State Capitol in Denver Colorado

Photo provided by Humphries Poli Architects

Restoration

Architect: Humphries Poli Architects

Sheet Metal Contractor: Douglass Colony Group

13. Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda, Pennsylvania

Photo provided by Levine Company, Inc.

Restoration

Architect: Hunt Engineers, Architects, Land Surveyors & Landscape Architect, DPC

Roof Consultant: Levine & Company, Inc.

Sheet Metal Contractor: Charles F. Evans Company, Inc.

14. 325 Kent Avenue in Brooklyn, New York

Photo provided by SHoP Architects

New Construction

Architect: SHoP Architects

Façade Fabricator: Hi-Tech Metals Inc.

“For this project, we chose copper panels because, when left exposed to natural elements, they will weather and patina over time,” says SHoP Architects about the build. “This cost-effective strategy also creates a dynamic façade that draws in visitors in the park. The once shiny orange façade has already begun to darken and patina, and some areas are already turning green. Recalling the Statue of Liberty — just down the river from our site — our team harnessed the city’s signature material to re-imagine what affordable housing can look like for New York.”

15. 400 Dexter in Seattle Washington

New Construction

Architect: CollinsWoerman

Sheet Metal Contractor: A. Zahner Company