It is impossible to miss the stunning Staten Island Courthouse that stands resolutely overlooking the New York harbor. The building’s four copper-clad towers catch the morning light, acting as a beacon for those arriving by ferry. The facility’s contemporary use of copper earned it a spot among the top 15 magnificent building projects receiving a 2017 North American Copper in Architecture Award (NACIA).

The NACIA program recognizes and promotes North American building projects for their outstanding use of architectural copper and copper alloys. Now in its 10th year, the annual awards program showcases a wide range of projects, all of which highlight craftsmanship, attention to detail and architectural vision.
"The outstanding quality and ingenuity of the copper projects submitted over the past ten years is truly inspiring," said Stephen Knapp, the Director of the Sheet, Strip, & Plate Council for the Copper Development Association (CDA).  "Not only is copper known for its sustainability and durability, its innate beauty continues to make it an appealing building material. Every year I am amazed by the innovative ways copper is being applied."
Four years after receiving its first NACIA award, the University of Arizona is being honored again for its impressive construction of the Biomedical Sciences Partnership Building on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. The 10-story building’s unique texture is achieved by manipulating 90-95 percent recycled copper into perforated panels. Copper was selected for this project for its longevity and ability to protect against direct sun exposure, which reduces the buildings energy costs and contributes to its natural facade.

Five Canadian building projects were 2017 NACIA award recipients. The house at 166 Dovercourt Road features darkly glowing, weathered copper that displays the buildings nuanced design, while tastefully allowing it to blend with the notable Toronto neighborhood comprised of old Victorian houses. In addition, the renovation to the Saskatchewan Legislative Dome, which involved 28,000 pounds of copper, was also among the winners. Copper’s innate strength and attractive appearance made it the obvious material of choice for both projects.

Established in 2008, the NACIA awards program is sponsored by industry representatives at CDA and the Canadian Copper & Brass Development Association (CCBDA). Projects are selected across three different categories: New Construction, Renovation/Restoration and Ornamental Applications.  This year’s recipients include:

New Construction
166 Dovercourt House – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Application: Wall Cladding
Builder/Developer: Luloo Boutique Homes
Architect: Ja Architecture Studio
General Contractor: Mazifa Corp
Copper Manufacturer: Copper in Design

Biomedical Sciences Partnership Building on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus – Phoenix, Ariz.
Application: Roofing, Exterior Cladding
Architect: CO Architects
Sheet Metal Contractor: Kovach Building Enclosures

210 Pacific Street – Brooklyn, N.Y.
Application: Wall Cladding
Builder/Developer: NAVA
Sheet Metal Contractor: Fine Metal Roof Tech

Private Residence – Gurley, Ala.
Application:  Roofing, Exterior Ornamental
Architect: Nola | VanPeursem Architects, PC
Sheet Metal Contractor: CopperWorks Corporation

Private Residence – Juneau, Alaska
Application:  Roofing, Exterior Ornamental
Sheet Metal Contractor: Fine Metal Roof Tech

Staten Island Courthouse, St. George – Staten Island, N.Y.
Application: Wall Cladding
Architect: Ennead Architects
Curtainwall Consultant: Heintges & Associates

Wet Weather Pump Station – Hoboken, N.J
Application: Wall Cladding
Architect/Builder: nastasi architects

Restoration
31 East 74th St. – New York, N.Y.
Application: Wall Cladding, Exterior Ornamental
Architect: Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP
Sheet Metal Manufacturer: B&B Sheet Metal Inc.
Sub-Contractor: Apple Restoration & Waterproofing Inc.

Boston Private Residence – Alexandria, Va.
Application: Roofing
Consulting Architect: Restoration Engineering Inc.
Sheet Metal Contractor: Wagner Roofing Company

Centre Block of the Canadian Parliament – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Application:  Roofing, Exterior Ornamental
Architect: Architecture EVOQ inc.
Sheet Metal Contractor: Heather & Little Limited

Historic Fayette County Courthouse – Lexington, Ky.
Application:  Roofing, Exterior Ornamental
Architect: K. Norman Berry Associates Architects, PLLC
Sheet Metal Contractor: Steinrock Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc.

Le Windsor-Mansard Rehabilitation Project – Montreal, Quebec
Application:  Roofing, Exterior Ornamental
Architect: DMA Architectes s.e.n.c.r.l.
Sheet Metal Contractor: Toitures Trois Étoiles Inc.

Saskatchewan Legislative Building Dome Conservation – Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Application:  Dome Restoration
Conservation Architect: Spencer R. Higgins, Architect Incorporated
Sheet Metal Contractor: Empire Restoration Inc.
Construction Managers: PCL Construction Management Inc.

Vedanta Temple – San Francisco, Calif.
Application:  Roofing, Exterior Ornamental
Sheet Metal Contractor: Hans Liebscher Custom Copperworks

Ornamental
The Wellington Building Renovation Project – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Application:  Interior Ornamental
Architect: NORR Limited Architects, Engineers & Planners
Roofing Contractor: Raymond and Associates Roofing Inc.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the NACIA Awards, the copper, architectural and construction industries, and the general public selected 10 top projects from the last decade, which feature a mix of historic and modern buildings using copper. Among the award-winning copper projects were two museums, a medical facility, two city hall buildings and an academic library.  The 10th anniversary award winners include:

 

NACIA TENTH ANNIVERSARY WINNERS

Canadian National War Museum

Currie & Mackenzie Buildings, RMC

Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Harvard University Tozzer Library

Health Sciences Education Building on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus

Kansas Statehouse Copper Dome & Roof Replacement

Milwaukee City Hall

Montreal City Hall

Natural History Museum of Utah

Private Residence

The NACIA building projects were judged by a panel of architectural and copper industry experts. Entries were evaluated based upon overall building design, integration of copper, craft of copper installation and excellence in innovation or historic restoration.

CDA hosted an awards ceremony in Orlando on April 27. To view each project, including photos and profiles, visit the CDA website.