2026 Top Job Contest - CATEGORY H

Category H
Furniture & Accessory Fabrication - Nonforged

Instructions: Review the entries in this category and make your decision on which entries in this category have your vote for first place (gold), second place (silver) and third place (bronze) awards. Make a note of your choices so that you have them to reference when you are ready to vote. Once you have chosen your three winners in each category (there are a total of 10 categories), you can place your votes online by submitting a Top Job e-Ballot. Only one member per company is allowed to submit a ballot. Questions or problems? Contact us.

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h-0001

HELIX STOOL

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Furniture & Accessory Fabrication - Nonforged
Designed by: Fabricator
Total Labor Hours:160
Finish Type: Anodized
Materials Used: Lightweight Aerospace Aluminum and Leather

General Description: The Helix Stool is a new iteration on one of my first pieces. When I first started my company, I designed and fabricated a line of forged furniture including the inspiration for the Helix. For the Helix, I rendered some of the key gestures of the forged piece using 3D modeling and machined the parts out of aerospace aluminum. I hand routed the edges. Machining opens the door to production, but I appreciated the fact that some of the nuances of gesture still require the hand of the craftsman.


h-0002

SYMPHONY HALL DONOR LOUNGE BAR

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Furniture & Accessory Fabrication - Nonforged
Designed by: Architect
Total Labor Hours:330
Finish Type: Silver patina
Materials Used: C28000 muntz metal

General Description: Scope: fabricate and install an antiqued brass countertop and fascia for a high-profile bar. After the client’s sample arrived, the target finish shifted from antiqued brass to a silver patina. Our first sample was rejected; to get the base hue right we re-engineered materials, changing from C260 to C280 brass which gave an approved finish. The fabrication challenge was “zero visible butt seams” across long, curved runs: an 18'+ bar with a 15' main counter, 13'+ fascia, and multiple 24" radiused returns. Full dry fit on the millwork verified fit before welding components; parts were pulled for patination and clear coat, then reinstalled and permanently adhered. Geometry forced in-place welding, we executed localized welds, and performed careful blend-outs without marring adjacent areas. Result: a seamless, uniquely finished installation that met the design intent in a demanding public music venue.



h-0003

CUSTOM CEILING-MOUNTED BAR SHELF

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Exterior Railings & Fences - Nonforged
Designed by: Furniture & Accessory Fabrication - Nonforged
Total Labor Hours:1400
Finish Type: Transparent bronze powder coat
Materials Used: alum

General Description: This project featured a 20’ x 29’ ceiling-mounted shelf suspended over an oval-shaped bar in the center of a restaurant overlooking a popular amusement park. Adorned with 300 amusement lights, the brass fixture mimics a carousel while offering functional storage and support for mounted TVs. This project required a comprehensive engineering and fabrication strategy: A foundational structure with 36 threaded rods that could support 11,000 lbs. was incorporated into the roof. The rods were designed to hang from the ceiling and later be used to attach the shelf. To achieve the brass look, a unique transparent bronze paint was used for the finish. While beautiful, this required high-quality, decorative welding. The shelf was fabricated in four pieces, requiring exact measurements to ensure alignment with the support structure. Each piece was hand-cranked to the ceiling using lifts and aligned to the threaded rods. The shelf was complete with custom-made caps to match the finish and hardware.

 


h-0005

1958 mERCEDES TABLE BASE

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Furniture & Accessory Fabrication - Nonforged
Designed by: Fabricator
Total Labor Hours:129
Finish Type: Blackening Patina, Wax
Materials Used: Steel, Stainless Steel, Silicon Bronze

General Description: This table base was formed from mild steel, stainless, and silicon bronze using auto-body shaping and repoussé techniques. The shape was based on the rear quarter of a 1958 Mercedes 190SL. The 11-gauge steel shell was hand-formed and reinforced with an internal frame. A rolled 1" × 5" ring defines the center, and hammered bronze details tie it together. Adjustable feet and a hidden anchor plate secure the 500-lb base to the floor. The top is a 2¾" black walnut slab with a concealed 3/16" steel plate stiffener. The project combined metal shaping, fabrication, and assembly methods from both auto and architectural work to create a clean, functional, and solid piece.


h-0006

THE BAR

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Furniture & Accessory Fabrication - Nonforged
Designed by: Fabricator/Architect (jointly)
Total Labor Hours:1593
Finish Type: Hand-applied patina and clear coat
Materials Used: Bronze alloy shapes, decorative mesh, Forms and Surfaces sheet metal

General Description: The bar features a suspended frame fabricated from bronze shapes and decorative wire mesh, but is structurally attached to the framing above, serving not only as a functional shelf but also as an architectural feature that adds character to the space and blends well with our other metalwork in the area. The structural framing was installed, and as the space was completed, we brought in the bronze features. For consistency, the final finishing was done on-site to achieve a cohesive look that brings everything together. Between the structural requirements, racetrack design, and the no exposed fasteners, the project presented numerous challenges. However, with great design collaboration and the skilled craftsmanship of the fabricators and installers, the design ultimately came together as a notable feature.