2024 RAiNA Award Winners

New Construction – Nova Scotia Community College Waterfront Campus

Project Specs

Project Description

NSCC Waterfront is the most recent campus built for the Nova Scotia community college network located in Sydney, Cape Breton Island/Eastern Canada. Overlooking Sydney Harbour, the 305,000 sq. ft. campus spans the downtown area through 4 buildings connected by pedways, as one of the most sustainable and accessible buildings in Nova Scotia. This new campus is the cornerstone of the
harbor redevelopment. The social and economic benefits to Sydney were significant and plentiful. The Atlantic coast in this region experiences some of the most punishing winds and weather systems in North America. Often under represented in news headlines, hurricane Fiona’s impact (2022) in this region couldn’t be ignored. For a project mid-way through construction, a true real life test was about to unfold. Construction crews were forced to pause their work, take cover, and could only watch with baited breath to see how the half completed rainscreen substructure and ceramic façade would hold up the category four hurricane. One of the primary concerns of the design team of Moriyama Teshima/Barrie Langille was choosing a material that was environmentally responsible, esthetically relevant and could manage the unforgiving weather and deliver a maintenance free façade with extended serviceability and serviceable lifespan. The structural integrity of the entire campus, notwithstanding the Ceramic façade system, make it a worthy contender for the climatic unforgiveness of this part of our continent.

Retrofit – University of New Mexico, Lobo Welcome Theater

Project Specs

Project Description

The University of New Mexico’s Lobo Welcome Theater features a vibrant, visually dynamic rainscreen façade that transforms the building entrance into a bold architectural statement. Designed around the architect’s vision of vertically oriented ceramic baguettes in seven distinct colors—blue, red, black, white, brown, beige, and orange—the project showcases the creative possibilities of rainscreen technology while delivering exceptional performance and constructability.

ECO Cladding developed an innovative attachment system that allows each individual baguette to be removed and replaced independently using a simple Allen wrench. This unique solution enabled the design team to achieve a seemingly random color pattern while maintaining long-term flexibility for maintenance and future modifications. A specialized glazing and firing process produced a high-gloss finish on all four sides of the baguettes, enhancing the façade’s visual depth and durability.

Sustainability was a key driver throughout the project. The façade incorporates recycled clay and aluminum components, while ECO Cladding’s engineered bracket system minimizes thermal bridging through reduced structural contact points. The rainscreen assembly also improves moisture management and water resistance, contributing to the building’s longevity, energy performance, and overall environmental responsibility.

Technical excellence is evident in both the system design and installation process. Detailed construction documentation ensured precise coordination between the design team, installers, and building envelope trades. Prefabricated and preassembled components streamlined installation, reducing labor requirements and improving efficiency. The innovative mounting system allowed installers to complete work quickly and safely, even on difficult-to-access areas of the façade.

The Lobo Welcome Theater exemplifies how creative architectural expression, sustainable design strategies, and high-performance rainscreen technology can be successfully integrated into a single project. Through innovative engineering and collaborative problem-solving, the project delivers a striking and durable building envelope that reflects the University of New Mexico’s commitment to design excellence and long-term performance.