2026 Top Job Contest - CATEGORY O

Category O
Unusual Ornamental Fabrication

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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o-0001

ROOM DIVIDER

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Unusual Ornamental Fabrication
Designed by: Architect
Total Labor Hours: 350
Finish Type: Patina and two part urethane paint
Materials Used: Aluminum, bronze and wood

General Description: This is a room divider separating a yoga area from an outside hallway. There are six vertical 3 x 3 aluminum columns with 2 x 2 horizontals holding this piece in place. The columns are trimmed out by a ¾” x ¾” solid bronze bar. There are a stacked pair of ¼” bronze triangle plates creating a zig zag pattern on each side of the columns. In the center of the panels there are more bronze plates staked 3 high with a ¾”bronze ball on top. This creates some interesting reveals throughout the piece. Everything is two sided, so it looks the same on the inside as it does from this side. All the bronze is fastened through the wood from the back side so there are no fasteners visible from the front. The panels are rough sawn tongue and groove boards with a very dark stain. The door itself has a bronze frame. The whole panel is floating off the stucco 3” all the way around.


o-0002

ELEVATOR CAGE DUPLICATE

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Unusual Ornamental Fabrication
Designed by: Fabricator
Total Labor Hours: 640 hours approximately
Finish Type: Satin black
Materials Used: Aluminum

General Description: This is a similar elevator cage at the Biltmore estate in Asheville North Carolina. The cage is put together mechanically. This is so it can be assembled in the elevator shaft. All the materials are made of aluminum. The primary metal size is 3/4" x 3/8" flat bar with a fuller line down the center edge. All of the sheet metal is made from 3003.180 gauge. At each intersection of the latticework on the top of the cage there are rosettes on both sides.



o-0003

LIGHT RAIL - EXTENSION

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Unusual Ornamental Fabrication
Designed by: Fabricator/Architect (jointly)
Total Labor Hours: 4176
Finish Type: powder coat
Materials Used: KodaXT, Steel Sheet, Plate, Pipe & Tube

General Description: Decorative Shade Canopies in Downtown showcase a dynamic blend of form and function. Featuring KodaXT polycarbonate skylights, custom platforms, and LED lighting and controllers that transforms to highlight special events, these canopies create an engaging urban experience for residents and visitors alike. The installation comprises over 360 intricately designed geometric pods spanning three stations along the Light Rail, demonstrating a seamless integration of art, architecture, and transit infrastructure. Each element was carefully crafted to combine durability, aesthetic appeal, and interactive design, turning everyday transit spaces into memorable urban landmarks.

 


o-0004

PROJECT CONFIDENTIAL

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Unusual Ornamental Fabrication
Designed by: Fabricator/Architect (jointly)
Total Labor Hours: 6818
Finish Type: Clear Flat Laquer
Materials Used: Cold-Rolled Steet and Bronze Alloy Shapes

General Description: This project involved fabrication, refinishing, and careful installation. A total of 4,396 replica safe deposit doors were created to match the original ones. The original 2,072 doors were removed, refinished at our shop to restore full functionality, and each was paired with its original key. Some doors were lost or damaged, leading to the re-manufacture of 38 doors, which are so precise that they are nearly indistinguishable from the originals. Key challenges included matching the original finish and restoring parts to their authentic appearance, requiring extensive research and development. The safe’s trim was made of v-grooved sheet metal designed to imitate traditional millwork with sharp, clean lines. These elements enhance the room's aesthetic and highlight the precision and skill of the installers. Every part was carefully fabricated and installed to ensure a perfect, flawless finish.


o-0005

CASCADING, GOLDEN BRICK WALL & DISPLAY

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Unusual Ornamental Fabrication
Designed by: Fabricator
Total Labor Hours: Approximately 2500
Finish Type: Hand polished aluminum with a translucent gold powder coat to retain polished texture in aluminum
Materials Used: (Bricks) 6063 Aluminum Rectangular Tube 4”x6”x1/8” and 6063 Aluminum Rectangular Tube 4”x8”x1/8” - (Top & Bottom Plate) 6061 Aluminum Rectangular Bar 3/8” x 8” - (Fasteners) ¼”-20 x 4-1/2” Flat head screws Qty=6,400

General Description: Spanning 56 feet long and 9 feet tall, this sculptural back wall display at Amouage’s Soho boutique is composed of 1,600 hand-fabricated aluminum bricks. Each brick was precision-polished and fastened using four concealed 4½" bolts aligning with tapped holes in the brick below. Due to rotating angles, every hole had to be pre-drilled with extreme accuracy. The wall was fully pre-assembled in-shop to verify alignment before finishing. Bricks were powder coated in translucent gold, then individually boxed and numbered for reassembly. Installation required sequential alignment of holes and bolting each brick to a prefabricated base plate. One of the greatest challenges was achieving a staggered, cascading effect while keeping all fasteners hidden. More than 1,000 unique hole configurations ensured flawless concealment. Each brick was engraved and referenced in detailed shop drawings to guide final installation. Total fabrication and assembly required approximately 2,500 labor hours. The result: a luminous, immersive wall that showcases Amouage fragrances through material precision and architectural drama.


o-0006

ENTRY GATES

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Unusual Ornamental Fabrication
Designed by: Fabricator/Architect (jointly)
Total Labor Hours: Shop: 6,250, Finish: 205, Install: 2,636
Finish Type: Acrylic Polyurethane Paint
Materials Used: Mild Steel

General Description: These custom-fabricated metal gates showcase the highest level of precision engineering and metal craftsmanship. Constructed from steel, each component was cut, shaped, and welded to exacting tolerances, ensuring structural integrity without compromising visual balance. The circular and radial geometries were meticulously aligned to achieve millimeter accuracy, with joints ground smooth for a seamless aesthetic. A durable finish in custom colors enhances corrosion resistance while emphasizing the architectural lines of the design. Each gate integrates precisely within its arched frame, demonstrating advanced fabrication and installation accuracy. The interplay of layered elements and open patterns creates dynamic shadows, highlighting the technical mastery behind both design and execution. This project exemplifies fabrication as fine art—where disciplined craftsmanship, innovative metalworking techniques, and rigorous attention to detail converge to create architectural metalwork that is both structurally sound and visually striking.

 


o-0007

LIT DECORATIVE PANELS

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Unusual Ornamental Fabrication
Designed by: Fabricator/Architect (jointly)
Total Labor Hours: Shop: 4,488, Finish: Not Enough, Install: 2,644
Finish Type: Acrylic Polyurethane Paint
Materials Used: Mild Steel Plate, Mild Steel Tubes, Acrylic Panels, Copper Wire

General Description: This project showcases ornamental metalwork elevated to architectural art. The decorative canopy/truss assemblies merge sculptural design with precision fabrication, featuring fluid geometries and luminous detailing. Each curved panel was digitally modeled and waterjet cut from steel, ensuring flawless alignment of intersecting arcs and ornamental motifs. Components were individually formed to custom radii, welded, and finished to achieve seamless visual continuity. Machined circular nodes anchor the intricate framework while discreetly housing electrical conduits for integrated LED illumination. The design demanded exacting tolerances to balance aesthetic refinement with structural integrity. A multi-stage finishing process—including abrasive surface prep, epoxy primer, and custom poly-coat—delivers a uniform, durable finish resistant to weather and time. The result is an exemplary expression of ornamental craftsmanship, where artistry, engineering, and illumination converge to transform complex geometry into a luminous architectural statement.

 


o-0008

MAUSOLEUM CRYPT PANELS

Is this a joint venture: No
Category: Unusual Ornamental Fabrication
Designed by: Architect
Total Labor Hours:1000
Finish Type: Cast faces were wire brushed, passivated and waxed. Edges were polished.
Materials Used: Stainless 316 Cast and Fabricated

General Description: 28 custom cast and fabricated stainless steel crypt front panels from 316 stainless steel. Each panel weighs over 180 pounds finished for a combined weight of 5200 pounds. The panels were only able to be cast flat due to the finish texture on the appearance side, so they had to be formed using a hydraulic press and heat prior to being laid up on a fixture for trimming and installation of the concealed hangers.