Call for Entries – RAiNA Awards: Design & Technical Excellence
The Rainscreen Association in North America (RAiNA) is excited to announce the call for entries for the 2026 RAiNA Awards: Design & Technical Excellence. These awards honor outstanding achievements in technical innovation, design creativity, sustainability, and construction management within the industry.
Why Enter?
The RAiNA Awards celebrates the pinnacle of our industry, recognizing projects that showcase the advantages of rainscreen technology, including enhanced energy efficiency, aesthetic versatility, and positive environmental impact. Earning a RAiNA Award not only brings distinguished recognition to your project but also underscores your dedication to excellence in design and construction.
Eligibility
- You must be a current RAINA member in 2026.
- The project must have been completed when you were a RAINA member (if project was completed 2025).
- Project can be submitted to one (1) category only (new or retrofit). You may submit multiple different projects in the category chosen.
- Opaque walls comprised of at least 50% rainscreen system.
- Project completed and/or occupied in 2025 or 2026.
Key Dates
- Call for Entries: Monday, June 15, 2026
- Submission Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2026
- Review by Jurors: Friday, August 14 – Friday, September 11, 2026
- Awards Ceremony: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Categories
- New
- Retrofit
Recognition & Awards
- Award will be presented and submitting company will be recognized at RAINA fall 2026 conference.
- Digital book with each project, consisting of project details and photos – added to RAINA website.
- Free pass to conference for architect, general contractor/construction manager, owner and for the main submitter or identified representative.
- Social media for each project award.
- Press release to media.
- Digital marketing assets for project team, along with individual component manufacturers for each awarded project
- Video of award ceremony to be provided to winners
2025 RAiNA Award Winners
New Construction - Humboldt Park Wellness Center
RAiNA Founding Member
The Humboldt Park Health Wellness Center is a 46,800-square-foot community-focused facility designed to promote healthy lifestyles through state-of-the-art fitness, recreation, and wellness amenities. Reflecting Humboldt Park Health’s commitment to health equity and community well-being, the building features a striking ACM rainscreen façade composed of prismatic blue and green panels inspired by the organization’s brand identity. Perforated metal panels integrated with the rainscreen system create a dynamic sense of movement while allowing natural light to fill interior fitness and community spaces. Serving as both an architectural landmark and a hub for wellness, the facility embodies the organization’s mission to support the health of the surrounding community.
Retrofit – Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center
RAiNA Founding Member
The Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center transformed the former John Kerr Elementary School into a modern career and technical education facility through the innovative use of rainscreen technology. ECO Cladding’s adjustable rainscreen system enabled a new façade to be installed over the existing brick exterior, creating a contemporary architectural identity while improving energy efficiency, moisture management, and occupant comfort. The assembly incorporates continuous exterior insulation, thermally broken supports, and ventilated cavity design to enhance long-term building performance and durability. Supported by thermal modeling, mock-up testing, and comprehensive quality assurance, the project successfully exceeded current performance expectations while meeting a demanding construction schedule. As an example of adaptive reuse, the Innovation Center demonstrates how rainscreen systems can revitalize existing buildings while advancing sustainability, technical excellence, and architectural innovation.
2024 RAiNA Award Winners
New Construction - NSCC Waterfront Campus (Nova Scotia Community College)
RAiNA Founding Member
This resilient campus on Cape Breton Island, designed by Moriyama & Teshima/Barrie Langille, showcases a high-performance façade that withstood Hurricane Fiona mid-construction. It’s a stunning example of sustainable design with net-zero-ready classification and geothermal heating!
Retrofit - Lobo Welcome Theater at the University of New Mexico
RAiNA Founding Member
ECO Cladding’s dynamic, colorful façade at the Lobo Welcome Theater is not only visually striking but also sustainable and flexible. The design allows for easy maintenance with recycled materials, making it both beautiful and energy-efficient!