RAiNA announces winners of the 2026 RAiNA Design Awards

National Geographic Museum of Exploration and Bulkeley High School recognized for excellence in rainscreen design and application.

The Rainscreen Association in North America (RAiNA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 RAiNA Design Awards, recognizing projects that demonstrate excellence, innovation and thoughtful application of rainscreen technology.

This year's awards recognize two projects that showcase the versatility of rainscreen systems in both new construction and the transformation of existing buildings.

New construction winner: National Geographic Museum of Exploration

Submitted by Pillar Construction

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration in Washington, DC, has been named the 2026 RAiNA Design Award winner in the New Construction category.

The museum's highly customized KRION rainscreen façade consists of 296 unique prefabricated modules, each requiring individual geometric definition, support conditions, fabrication strategies and installation requirements. Through an extensive design-assist process, Pillar Construction worked with the architect, construction manager, manufacturer, engineers and specialty trade partners to translate a complex architectural vision into a manufacturable and precisely coordinated façade.

Advanced 3D modeling and BIM coordination were central to the project, with a single coordinated model used to manage façade geometry, support structures, anchoring systems, fabrication requirements and installation documentation. More than 1,260 pages of coordinated shop drawings and installation documentation were generated from the approved model.

The rainscreen assembly incorporates continuous mineral wool insulation and a ventilated cavity to support thermal efficiency and moisture management. The project was also designed to support LEED Platinum certification goals, with the rainscreen package incorporating environmental documentation including an Environmental Product Declaration and Health Product Declaration.

Retrofit Winner: Bulkeley High School renovation

Submitted by ECO Cladding

The Bulkeley High School Renovation in Hartford, Connecticut, has been named the 2026 RAiNA Design Award winner in the Retrofit category.

The project transformed an aging institutional building with a new, high-performance rainscreen façade while retaining and modernizing the existing structure. More than 70,000 square feet of Swisspearl fiber-cement and metal rainscreen panels were coordinated across varying existing conditions, transitions, openings and panel orientations.

The project incorporated both vertical and horizontal ECO Cladding support configurations to accommodate different cladding materials and orientations while maintaining continuous insulation and the required drainage and ventilation cavity. Custom engraved Swisspearl panels contribute to the school's new architectural identity while maintaining the durability and performance of the overall enclosure.

Beyond the façade, the comprehensive renovation modernized the school's mechanical, electrical, life-safety and interior systems. Retaining the existing primary structure conserved embodied resources while extending the useful life of the facility. The school returned to full operation in January 2026 following a construction period that included significant pandemic-related, supply-chain, inflation and funding challenges.

Celebrating Excellence in Rainscreen Design

The RAiNA Design Awards celebrate projects that demonstrate the possibilities of rainscreen technology and recognize the professionals and companies advancing high-performance building enclosure design.

The 2026 winners were announced at the RAiNA Conference in Portland, Oregon, on September 30, 2026.

RAiNA congratulates Pillar Construction and the National Geographic Museum of Exploration project team, as well as ECO Cladding and the Bulkeley High School project team, on their 2026 RAiNA Design Awards.

Learn more about the RAiNA Design Awards and view the winning projects: https://rainscreenassociation.org/2026-raina-award-recipients/

About RAiNA

The Rainscreen Association in North America (RAiNA) is a community of designers, consultants, manufacturers, contractors, testing agencies and other building professionals from across the United States, Canada and Mexico, dedicated to advancing rainscreen technology through education, collaboration and the development of industry best practices. RAiNA promotes high-performance building enclosure solutions that improve durability, energy efficiency, resilience and occupant comfort.