Guardian Glass North America honored the glaziers, fabricators, and project teams behind some of the most impressive commercial buildings of the year during its 9th annual Commercial Project Awards, held on March 2 in Louisville, Kentucky, alongside the Building Envelope Contractors Conference.

The Kentucky Derby–inspired celebration highlighted the collaborative effort behind complex façade projects and recognized outstanding achievements in design, performance, and craftsmanship using Guardian SunGuard high-performance coated glass.

“Our fabricator and glazier partners set the pace for our industry,” said Amy Post, Commercial Sector Director at Guardian Glass North America. “The 2026 winners demonstrate talent, skill, and innovation in delivering buildings that bring architectural visions to life while meeting the evolving performance needs of the commercial sector.”

The projects were evaluated by a panel of industry leaders, including Tom Culp (Birch Point Consulting / National Glass Association), Deb Levy (Key Media & Research), Sara Neiswanger (National Glass Association), Max Perilstein (Sales Source Consultants), and Ellen Rogers (Key Media & Research).

Regional Winners

Six projects across North America received regional recognition:

• Western United States – Hope Plaza
  Featuring SunGuard SN 68 and SN 54 on UltraClear glass, the project integrates biophilic design elements, expansive glazing, and sculptural fins that enhance daylight and occupant wellbeing.
  Glazier: Walters & Wolf | Fabricator: VITRUM Glass Group | Architect: CO Architects.
• Midwestern United States – Michigan Department of Natural Resources Newberry Customer Service Center
  The facility incorporates SunGuard SN 68 with Bird1st™ Etch to combine environmental stewardship with bird-friendly glazing solutions.
  Glazier: Calvin & Company Inc. | Fabricator: Thompson Innovative Glass | Architect: Lord Aeck Sargent.
• Northeastern United States – Yale Divinity School Living Village
  One of the first regenerative housing communities of its kind, the project uses SunGuard SN 68 with Bird1st™ Etch to support energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
  Glaziers: Massey’s Plate Glass & Aluminum Inc., Cascadia Windows & Doors | Fabricators: Press Glass, Garibaldi Glass Industries Inc. | Architects: Bruner/Cott Architects with Höweler + Yoon Architecture.
• Southeastern United States – Commonwealth Plaza Midwood Office Building
  Designed with SunGuard SNX 51/23, the building uses expansive glazing to maximize daylight and strengthen connections to the surrounding urban environment.
  Glazier: Cabarrus Glass Company | Fabricator: Press Glass | Architect: BB+M Architecture.
• Southwestern United States – Heartland Whole Health Institute
  Featuring oversized panels of SunGuard SN 68 on UltraClear glass, the façade emphasizes clarity and openness while allowing interior materials and artwork to take center stage.
  Glazier: ACE Glass | Fabricator: AGNORA | Architect: Marlon Blackwell Architects.
• Canada – The Hive
  Combining mass timber construction with triple-glazed SunGuard SN 68, the project demonstrates precision engineering across complex insulated glass units.
  Glazier: Bothwell-Accurate | Fabricator: Garibaldi Glass Industries Inc. | Architect: DIALOG.

Special Awards

In addition to the regional winners, several projects received recognition in specialized categories:

• Early Adopter Award – Austin Peay State University Health Professions Building
  One of the first projects to incorporate SunGuard SNX 70+, delivering high clarity with reduced solar heat gain.
  Glazier: Alexander Metals Inc. | Fabricator: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope – Atlanta | Architect: HASTINGS Architecture.
• Craftsmanship Award – Kilroy Oyster Point (Phase Two)
  The façade features curved laminated insulated glass units using SunGuard SNR 50 on UltraClear, creating a visually distinctive envelope while meeting LEED Silver targets.
  Glazier: Benson Industries (Permasteelisa Group) | Fabricator: Cristacurva | Architect: DGA.
• Bird1st Top Flight Award – Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building
  The project integrates Bird1st Etch Dx22 in a curtain wall system designed to improve bird safety while maintaining transparency.
  Glazier: G&S Glass and Supply | Fabricator: Trulite | Architect: Williams Blackstock Architects.

People’s Choice Award

The public vote recognized the Hickory Aviation Museum in North Carolina. Designed with SunGuard SNX 62/27 on UltraClear and clear glass, the building protects historic aircraft while preserving clear views between the interior hangar and surrounding landscape.

Through the Commercial Project Awards, Guardian Glass continues to highlight the essential collaboration between architects, fabricators, and glaziers in delivering high-performance façades that combine aesthetics, sustainability, and advanced glazing technology.