Stand-out Designs

by Marcy Marro | July 1, 2021 12:00 am

Despite a global pandemic, the submissions for this year’s Metal Architecture Design Awards did not disappoint. We received a variety of projects across all of the categories, giving the judges plenty to discuss.

I would like to thank this year’s judges—Brent Schipper, AIA, LEED AP, principal, ASK Studio[1], Des Moines, Iowa; Stephen Van Dyck, AIA, LEED AP, partner, LMN Architects[2], Seattle; and Tara Williams, AIA, associate architect, ASD | SKY[3], Tampa, Fla.—for the time they put in reviewing the projects and choosing the winners.

Judging criteria include overall appearance; significance of metal to the overall project appearance; innovativeness of material use; significance of metal to achieving project objectives; and quality of accompanying photography.

This year’s Grand Award Winner, the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, stood out to all of the judges. Designed by Rand Elliott Architects[4], Oklahoma City, the project uses extruded aluminum pieces to capture and reflect the Oklahoma sun and sky. The project was also awarded the winner in the smooth metal wall category.

“It’s just gorgeous,” Van Dyck said. “This is amazing. This is exactly what this awards program is about in my mind. This is just the best project that I’ve seen.” The other judges echoed this feeling, noting the metal is what makes this project. Added Schipper, “It is one of the most complex buildings I’ve ever seen. And I think it’s interesting, it tries to be simple, it’s this sculpture, and it’s only a sculpture because of how complicated it is. It’s stunning.”

In addition to the Grand Award Winner, projects are selected in the following categories: metal roofing, ribbed metal wall panels, smooth metal wall panels, metal buildings, interiors, renovations and retrofit, natural metals and sustainable design.

Congratulations to all of our winners:

This year’s Design Awards have shown that the innovative and creative use of metal has not waned in the midst of a pandemic. If anything, architects and designers are continuing to push the boundaries of design. Keep designing, and we look forward to seeing what the next year of projects bring.

Endnotes:
  1. ASK Studio: http://www.askstudio.com/
  2. LMN Architects: https://lmnarchitects.com/
  3. ASD | SKY: https://www.asdsky.com/
  4. Rand Elliott Architects: https://randelliottarchitects.com/
  5. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/creating-folding-light
  6. Mesa Rim: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/a-metal-building-gets-a-leg-up
  7. Bezier Curve House: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/a-metal-roof-with-a-textured-curve
  8. Collage Dance: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/dynamic-crown
  9. Flex House: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/flexible-living
  10. Geneseo Inn: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/inspiring-interior
  11. Cassina Innovation House: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/brazilian-renovation-innovation
  12. David M. Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/a-sustainable-showcase
  13. Frontline Townhomes: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/scale-and-movement

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/blog/stand-out-designs/

Copyright ©2025 Metal Architecture unless otherwise noted.