Guardian Glass North America honored the glaziers and fabricators of seven commercial projects at its 7th annual Commercial Project Awards event March 4 in Nashville. 

“The talented glaziers and fabricators Guardian Glass partners with continue to impress us with their craftsmanship, ingenuity, professionalism and commitment to delivering the architect’s vision via Guardian SunGuard™ high-performance coatings,” said Rick Zoulek, Executive Vice President, Guardian Glass. “Each year we’re wowed by the impressive projects nominated at the Commercial Project Awards, as well as the work our partners are generating year-in, year-out. Congratulations to this year’s winners.”

New this year is the Guardian Glass “Early Adopter Award”, which recognizes Guardian partners in their signature use of a new Guardian SunGuard product. 

Grouped based on location, the six additional winners were selected from a competitive field of more than 30 nominees by judges who represent the glass industry as leaders of trade media and associations:

• Tom Culp – Energy Code Consultant (Birch Point Consulting), National Glass Association
• Deb Levy – CEO, Key Media & Research
• Sara Neiswanger – Associate Director, Industry Engagement, National Glass Association
• Ellen Rogers – Vice President of Editorial Content, Key Media & Research
• Urmilla Sowell – Vice President, Advocacy & Technical Services, National Glass Association

Guardian Glass thanks these individuals for their expert perspective and thoughtful feedback during the 2024 awards process, and for their tireless work as advocates for the glass industry.

The judges selected the following projects to be honored as the 2024 Guardian Glass Commercial Project Award Winners: 

Western U.S.

Cascadian 

(Yale & Harrison)

Seattle, Washington

Size:                     Medium (10–49,999 square feet)

Products:            SunGuard SNX 62/27 coating on UltraClear™ and clear glass

Architect:           Perkins&Will

Glazier:               Walters & Wolf

Fabricator:         Vitrum™ Glass Group

Photo credit:     Kevin Scott

Judge Comment: 

• The project illustrates glass-forward construction while appreciating the unique considerations of heat and energy regulation, plus stringent building codes, which come with a project in the Northwest.

Midwestern U.S.

1000M

Chicago, Illinois

Size:                     Monumental

Products:            SunGuard SNE 50 coating on UltraClear glass

Architect:           Jahn

Glazier & 

  Fabricator:       BVGlazing Systems

Photo Credit:     Guardian Glass

Judge Comments: 

• Good incorporation of differing lines, curves and triangles. 
• Those interlocking triangles, along with the heightened wind load requirements, leave no room for error aesthetically or in performance.

Northeastern U.S.

The Wharf Parcel 8 – Pendry Hotel and Tides Apartments

Washington, D.C.

Size:                     Extra Large (100–199,000 square feet)

Product:              SunGuard SuperNeutral™ 68 coating on clear glass

Architect:           ODA Architecture

Glazier:               Service Glass

Fabricator:         Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope® – Wright City, Missouri 

Photo Credit:     James Ewing / JBSA

Judge Comments: 

• This project demonstrates glazing fulfilling daylight and views objectives while providing intriguing visual aesthetic. 
• “Anyone familiar with the D.C. waterfront knows what a difficult and unforgiving place it is to work. The glass in this design enhances the view from the building and into the building--all executed in a difficult work environment.”

Southeastern U.S.

Santa Fe Square

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Size:                     Medium (10–49,999 square feet)

Product:              SunGuard SNX 51/23 coating on clear glass

Architect:           Selser Schaefer Architects

Glazier:               American Glass

Fabricator:         Tristar Glass

Photo Credit:     Phil Clarkin Photography

Judge Comment: 

• “The Santa Fe Square building does a nice job of blending with the more historic buildings surrounding it, while bringing a modern touch for the future.”

Canada

Îlot Balmoral 

Montreal, Quebec

Size:                     Large (50–99,999 square feet)

Products:            SunGuard SN 68 coating on UltraClear and clear glass

Architect:           Provencher Roy

Glazier:               Groupe Lessard

Fabricator:         Multiver

Photo Credit:     Stéphane Brügger

Judge Comments: 

• “… the thoughtfulness towards its occupants and how it is being used as a giant display and interactive piece of art.” 

• “… striking design balancing the vivid red with the neutral SN68, and an impressive full height glazed atrium.”
• “… (application for) Gold Certification is a welcome environmental benefit.”

Early Adopter

Godfrey Hotel

Detroit, Michigan

Size:                     Medium (10–49,999 square feet)

Products:            SunGuard SNR 50 coating and NU 78/65 coating on clear glass

Architect:           Neumann/Smith Architecture

Glazier:               Edwards Glass Co.

Fabricator:         Thompson Innovative Glass

Photo Credit:     Guardian Glass

Judge Comment: 

• “The Godfrey Hotel just pops, but with calm and clear vibes. The framing in windows suits the building and seemingly the environment around it. In general, I appreciate the large windows in a building designed to appear (I presume) as a renovation of an older, existing building.”

People’s Choice Award

Guardian also offered the public the chance to vote for a People’s Choice winner, and participants selected:

ARQ at Cumulus

Los Angeles, California

Size:                     Large (50–99,999 square feet)

Product:              SunGuard SNR 43 coating on clear glass

Architect:           Solomon Cordwell Buenz

Glazier &            

  Fabricator:       Quest Window Systems

Photo Credit:     Hunter Karhart

Judge Comment: 

• “The ARQ Cumulus stands out as a glistening gem thanks to the glass facade, which also ensures a comfortable space for those inside thanks to the solar control properties of the glass.”