2025 RAiNA Award Winners

New Construction – Humboldt Park Wellness Center

Project Specs

Project Description

Humboldt Park Health Wellness Center is a facility that provides state-of-the-art services for patients of the campus and members of the community. This 46,800sf wellness building features programs that promote healthy lifestyles, including a pool, indoor track, and multiple fitness areas. This project is an example of how architecture has a chance to reinforce an organization’s brand, and with that, reflect the core principles and mission of the organization. One of these principles being health equity, which is something that prevails with the design approach.

The form and facade speak to the idea that the building can breathe and be informed by it’s environment. Featuring a series of prismatic blue/green panels, the ACM rainscreen system facade reflects the colors of Humboldt Park Health’s logo. In front of and supported by the curtainwall glazing systems on the 2nd and 3rd floors are a series of perforated panels. These panels highlight the “breathing” and movement of the facade and integrate with the rainscreen system, allowing natural light to filter into the community and fitness spaces. The concept of movement carries over from the exterior to interior – also reflected by the main lobby grand stair. As a whole, this project aims to be a beacon of health and wellness for the entire community and hospital campus.

Retrofit – Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center

Project Specs

Project Description

The Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center in Winchester, Virginia, demonstrates the transformative potential of adaptive reuse through the innovative application of rainscreen technology. Originally constructed as the John Kerr Elementary School, the building was reimagined by VMDO Architects, in collaboration with Reader + Swartz Architects, as a state-of-the-art career and technical education facility serving the next generation of students.

Central to the project’s success was the implementation of a high-performance rainscreen façade system engineered by ECO Cladding. Installed directly over the existing brick exterior using adjustable bracket technology, the new façade dramatically modernized the building’s appearance while overcoming the challenges commonly associated with renovation projects. The rainscreen system provided the flexibility needed to accommodate irregular existing conditions while delivering a clean, contemporary architectural expression that reflects the building’s renewed educational mission.

Beyond aesthetics, the project leveraged rainscreen principles to significantly enhance building performance. Ventilation, drainage, and pressure equalization strategies were incorporated to address longstanding issues related to moisture management, air leakage, and thermal inefficiency. Continuous exterior insulation and thermally broken support systems improved energy performance, reduced thermal bridging, and increased occupant comfort while extending the life expectancy of the building envelope.

Sustainability was a key project objective. The rainscreen assembly incorporated recycled-content materials and was designed to meet current ASHRAE 90.1 energy-efficiency standards. While formal certification was not pursued, the project embraced LEED-aligned principles focused on durability, reduced maintenance requirements, operational efficiency, and long-term environmental stewardship. By selecting a ventilated rainscreen system in a public-school application where such assemblies were not commonly used, the project established a new benchmark for sustainable design and building performance within the educational sector.

The project’s technical excellence was reinforced through extensive collaboration, modeling, testing, and quality assurance measures. Pre-construction thermal and hygrothermal analysis validated the system’s performance, while mock-up testing, commissioning activities, and field verification ensured air and water tightness. Careful coordination between the design team, contractor, and enclosure specialists enabled the project to meet an ambitious construction schedule and budget without compromising quality.

The Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center stands as a compelling example of how rainscreen technology can revitalize existing buildings, delivering architectural distinction, superior building performance, and long-term value. Through innovative engineering and thoughtful design, the project successfully transformed an aging school into a modern educational landmark prepared to serve future generations.