The 18th edition of the North American Copper in Architecture Awards—NACIA—have just been announced, a tribute to both original buildings and restoration work.
Once again the architectural awards for new buildings highlights unique creativity, craft and invention using not only the world’s hardest working metal, but also one of its most beautiful. Both commercial and domestic buildings are highlighted featuring architectural copper and copper alloys used in roof systems, façades, and wall systems, as well as in custom-fabricated elements.
From a world-class museum upgrade, the restoration of a beloved century-old community landmark in a bustling urban setting, and the creation of an exquisite mountain retreat carved out of its rocky terrain are just three of the standouts in the 10 winning entries this year.
Overseen by the Copper Development Association, the winning entries from the US and Canada were chosen by an experienced panel of judges using criteria like copper system design, the integration of copper alloys with the overall building, the craftsmanship of the installation, excellence in construction or restoration, and sustainable building strategies.
Some of the winners include:
37 Hillside Senior Apartments in New York provides 164 residential units for seniors, featuring 20-ounce-thick, double-lock standing seam copper cladding that will patina over time.
Biolabs Garden Site Facility Expansion in New England expands the New England Biolabs campus with a 165,000 square foot addition. The Garden Site Facility features 29,610 square feet of custom copper wall panels designed to complement the aged copper cladding on the earlier 2006 laboratory building.
Portsmouth Abbey School Student Center is a new 8,000-square-foot student centre featuring a custom perforated and pre-patinated copper screen, referencing historic campus buildings nearby while also moderating both heat and solar gain.
Snowmass Retreat in Chicago prioritises natural light, scenic views, and privacy. Quartzite stone walls wrap around the exterior, with complementary copper wall panels, soffits, and roofs providing a robust and fire-resistant enclosure, ensuring durability and safety.
The Spirit Garden is located at the southwest corner of Nathan Phillips Square—Toronto’s most significant civic gathering space. Dedicated to Indigenous history and culture, it is among the first public spaces built in a Canadian capital city that honours those impacted by the Residential Schools program. The Spirit Garden’s “Teaching Lodge” is formed with ash glulam beams and clad with brass panels—materials symbolising the natural world. The brass panels, skillfully cut to precise dimensions and assembled like a puzzle, simulate traditional birchbark coverings. Additionally, brass panels are installed at the ends of the landscape for continuity with artwork by Tuscarora artist Raymond Skye, titled “The Three Sisters.” The intricate engravings tell the story of a traditional Indigenous planting system; corn, beans, and squash are grown together to promote soil health and nourishment.
Detail and images: https://copper.org/applications/architecture/awards/winners.php