And the Winners Are: Guardian Glass Recognizes Glaziers and Fabricators through Commercial Project Awards

Living, working and operating in a pandemic for more than a year now has changed a lot about the way things are done. One thing that hasn’t changed, is the importance of recognizing exceptional work and achievements—even if it’s celebrated over Zoom. That’s what Guardian Glass did last night, when it presented its 2021 Commercial Project Awards. More than 40 projects were nominated from work completed in 2020, and Guardian Glass honored the glaziers and fabricators of eight of those projects with the annual awards.

The event began with a welcome from Alan Kinder, regional architectural manager for the east coast, noting that every year has unique challenges, and 2020 was no exception. One significant challenge was finding ways to connect with people. So while the annual awards program couldn’t take place in person, it was still important to find a way to bring everyone together, which they were able to do virtually.

Rick Zoulek, vice president of Guardian Glass, Americas, added that the awards program is one of his favorite events, “because it’s really all about you and the relationships we have …”

Speaking of the project awards, he said, “Guardian Glass is privileged to recognize incredible glass designs in architecture from our glazier and fabricator partners. These impressive façades showcase why glass is a preferred building material in commercial construction.” He continued, “We thank the glaziers and fabricators for their commitment to excellence and ongoing partnership. Congratulations to all the nominees for their hard work and dedication to our Guardian SunGuard coated glass program. We look forward to working together on exciting new projects as architects continue to innovate and execute with glass.”

The awards were presented across five categories:

• Small (less than 10,000 square feet of glazing);
• Medium (10,000-49,999 square feet of glazing);
• Large (50,000-99,999 square feet of glazing);
• Extra Large (100,000-199,999 square feet of glazing); and
• Monumental (greater than 200,000 square feet of glazing).

Awards were presented by Joe Butler, North American sales director, and Dario Babic, outside sales director. The following projects were the winners:

Small (less than 10,000 square feet of glazing)

Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement

• St. Petersburg, Fla.
• Glazier: MG McGrath
• Fabricator: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope®, Cristacurva
• Architect: Alfonso Architects
• Product: Guardian SunGuard SNX 51/23 coating on UltraClear glass

Small (less than 10,000 square feet of glazing)
Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement
Photo Credit: Brennan Photo + Video

Medium (10,000-49,999 square feet of glazing)

Colorado State University Chemistry Research Building

• Fort Collins, Colo.
• Glazier: Glass Masters
• Fabricator: Manko Window Systems Inc. – Colorado
• Architect: Hord Coplan Macht
• Products: Guardian SunGuard SuperNeutral 54 coating on CrystalGray glass and SunGuard SuperNeutral 68 coating on CrystalGray glass

Medium (10,000-49,999 square feet of glazing)
Colorado State University Chemistry Research Building
Photo Credit: Cooperthwaite Productions

Forsyth County Library

• Winston-Salem, N.C.
• Glazier: Pfaff’s Inc.
• Fabricator: Press Glass Inc.
• Architect: RATIO Architects
• Products: Guardian SunGuard SNX 62/27 coating on clear glass and Guardian SunGuard SNX 51/23 coating on clear glass

Forsyth County Library (pictured)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Photo Credit: photographie: fourseven©

Large (50,000-99,999 square feet of glazing)

The Warner Building

• Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Glazier: Precision Wall Systems Inc.
• Fabricator: Glass + Metal Craft
• Architect: Ghafari Associates (previously known as Concept Design)
• Products: Guardian SunGuard SuperNeutral 54 coating on CrystalGray glass and SunGuard  SuperNeutral 68 coating on clear glass

Large (50,000-99,999 square feet of glazing)
The Warner Building
Photo Credit: Photo Credit: ThumbCoast Aerial

milieu Apartments

• Chicago
• Glazier: CK2
• Fabricator: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope^®
• Architect: FitzGerald Associates Architects
• Product: Guardian SunGuard SuperNeutral 68 coating on CrystalGray glass

Large (50,000-99,999 square feet of glazing)
milieu Apartments
Photo Credit: FitzGerald Associates Architects

Hyatt Place Grand Rapids

• Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Glazier: Glass Design
• Fabricator: Glass + Mirror Craft
• Architect: Ghafari Associates (previously known as Concept Design)
• Products: Guardian SunGuard SuperNeutral 54 coating on CrystalBlue glass and SunGuard SuperNeutral 68 coating on clear glass

Hyatt Place Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Photo Credit: ThumbCoast Aerial

Extra Large (100,000-199,999 square feet of glazing)

Hanover BLVD Place

• Houston
• Glazier: Ranger Specialized Glass
• Fabricator: Cristacurva
• Architect: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
• Products: Guardian SunGuard SNX 51/23 coating on clear glass and Guardian SunGuard SNR 43 coating on clear glass

Extra Large (100,000-199,999 square feet of glazing)
Hanover BLVD Place
Photo Credit: Photography by Peter Molick

Monumental (greater than 200,000 square feet of glazing)

Third and Lenora

• Seattle
• Glazier: Harmon
• Fabricator: Garibaldi Glass
• Architect: Perkins & Will
• Product: Guardian SunGuard SuperNeutral 68 on clear glass

Monumental (greater than 200,000 square feet of glazing)
Third and Lenora
Photo Credit: Clarity Northwest Photography