Architectural Metalwork – Balconies & Façades
Are your innovative and impeccably crafted steel balconies or sophisticated architectural façade systems dramatically transforming building aesthetics while delivering enhanced functionality, safety, and durability for occupants and owners, showcasing true teamwork in execution?
Whether stunning cantilevered designs, elegantly propped structures, or intricate steel-based cladding and canopy systems, we’re actively looking for projects that clearly demonstrate exceptional design vision from architects and engineers, superior fabrication quality by steelworkers, technical ingenuity in overcoming structural or installation challenges, and significant positive visual impact on the building’s identity. This award celebrates the collaborative effort required to successfully elevate architectural outcomes through steel.
Who should nominate?
Steel fabricators, specialist façade engineers, architectural metalwork companies, and design teams who have successfully collaborated to deliver creative, high-quality, and structurally sound steel balconies and façade systems.
Eligibility & Key considerations
Your work on the nominated balcony or façade project must have been completed or significantly progressed between 1st July 2023 and 30th June 2025.
The work must have been substantially fabricated by a registered business based on the island of Ireland (the final erected location can be outside of Ireland).
Entries should highlight proficiency in bespoke fabrication and finishing, ingenious design solutions that integrate aesthetics with performance, robust structural integrity and safety features, the quality and durability of materials and finishes used, innovative use of materials, and evidence of seamless integration with the overall building envelope, reflecting industry-leading craftsmanship and engineering achieved through teamwork.
What the Judges are looking for
Quality of the design, fabrication, finish, and installation; Innovation in architectural expression, structural solution, or material application; Technical Execution demonstrating skill in complex geometry, connections, and weathering details; Collaboration between the architectural team, structural engineers, fabricators, main contractor and installers; Visual Impact and how the metalwork enhances the building’s character and functionality.
Submission Requirements
- Nomination Type
- Business Name
- Project Title (e.g., “[Building Name] Balcony & Façade System”)
- Project Location
- Project Team (Essential where available): Include details for the Architect, Structural Engineer, Façade Consultant (if any), Steel Fabricator, Main Contractor, Specialist Installers, and any other key partners who contributed to the design and delivery of the steel elements.
- Project Summary (max 50 words)
- Full Project Description (max 1,000 words): Tell us the story of the project. Include details such as outlining the design concept, structural approach (e.g., cantilever, propped, unitised), material specification, fabrication techniques, key challenges (e.g., site access, complex interfaces), and installation methods.
- Why Should It Win? – Emphasise unique design aspects, technical achievements, and aesthetic contribution.
- Project Images (min 2, max 5 high-quality, showcasing the overall façade/balconies, connection details, and architectural integration)
- Company Logo (PNG)
- Optional: Architectural drawings, detail sections, thermal performance data (if relevant), wind loading analysis summary, etc.
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