CENTENNIAL, CO – On April 2^nd, the American Galvanizers Association (AGA) recognized the finest achievements in hot-dip galvanizing through the 2025 Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Awards, announced during their Annual Conference in Costa Rica. With over 110 projects submitted for consideration in 2025, this year’s winners demonstrate the breadth, beauty, and durability of galvanizing across a variety of sectors. From sweeping infrastructure projects to striking works of art, these award-winning designs prove that durability and design go hand in hand.

At the heart of this year's celebration is the recipient of the Most Distinguished award—the California College of the Arts Campus Expansion in San Francisco, CA. The project stands as a bold example of forward-thinking architecture, blending mass timber with duplex coated galvanized steel to achieve both sustainability and performance.

In the same spirit of thoughtful design, the Building & Architecture category featured two standout projects that fuse structural integrity with aesthetic brilliance. 14th & Court – Populus Hotel in Denver, CO is a sculptural statement in sustainability. Beneath its striking exterior lies a model of smart engineering and long-term durability, thanks to the decision to hot-dip galvanize the steel frames for the glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels—a choice that ensured both performance and sustainability. Just as innovative, Park 270 – JPMorgan Chase in New York, NY offers a sleek, low-maintenance solution, protecting the building’s electrical components and ensuring the structure can withstand the corrosive environment for decades to come.

The connection between design and community was further explored in the Civic Contribution category with the University of Houston Graduate Design/Build Studio Bird Blind for the Woodlands Township. Built by students and installed in a natural preserve in Houston, TX, this interactive structure demonstrates how galvanized steel can support not only wildlife observation but also educational growth and community engagement.

Public enjoyment and environmental awareness came together in the Recreation & Entertainment category winner—the Bucktown Bird’s Nest Learning Pavilion in Metairie, LA. Designed as a whimsical space for education and play, its nest-like form is supported by galvanized steel to withstand the wear and tear of daily use in a humid natural setting.

The advantages of galvanizing extend deep into the industrial and agricultural sectors as well. Nestlé Purina: Green Acres, the new factory is Batavia, OH and winner in the Food & Agriculture category, utilizes galvanized steel to ensure sanitary, corrosion-resistant operations in an advanced pet food manufacturing environment. Over in the Industrial category, Cement Québec Inc.’s New Blending Plant stands as a powerhouse of heavy-duty galvanized steelwork, supporting the demanding operations of one of Canada’s largest cement producers in Sainte Basile, QC.

That same protective quality played a critical role in a range of high-stakes infrastructure projects. In the Bridge & Highway sector, Missouri’s Fixing Access to Rural Missouri (FARM) Bridge Program brought vital connectivity to underserved areas by replacing 31 structurally deficient bridges—using galvanized steel to guarantee longevity and reduce maintenance across the board.

Similarly, the Duplex Systems winner, Panther Creek Bridge in Klamath, CA, demonstrates how combining hot-dip galvanizing with topcoat painting can provide both superior corrosion protection and visual harmony with the natural environment. Featuring galvanized steel arch ribs and floor beams, paired with post-tensioned concrete tie beams, it marks California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) first-ever use of hot-dip galvanizing for primary structural components in a bridge project.

Artistic vision took center stage in Nashville, TN, with the Artistic winner, the Loqui Statue. With its expressive, larger-than-life presence, this sculpture showcases how galvanizing preserves public art against the elements. The statue’s surface is adorned with 415 carefully chosen phrases, contributed by Nashville residents themselves, reflecting the essence of what makes the city home and sharing collective hopes for its bright future. The use of HDG ensures its powerful message remains undiminished over time.

Across international borders, Arborea Magna in Bueno Aires, Argentina is this year’s International category winner. The sculpture delivers a breathtaking blend of nature and engineering. Inspired by trees and crafted with intricate galvanized steel elements, this Spanish public space installation invites visitors to explore an organic world built for endurance.

This year's Lifetime Achievement award was bestowed upon a true American icon—the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, WI, where the designers drew inspiration directly from the motorcycles themselves. Durability, longevity, and quality—ideals embodied by Harley-Davidson engineering—found a perfect match in hot-dip galvanized steel. The museum is standing strong for over 17 years, enduring Milwaukee’s harsh climate while maintaining its signature industrial aesthetic.

Serving essential functions in remote and challenging locations, the Electrical, Utility, and Communications winner—Modular On-Grade "Bull Towers"—showcases a smart, modular design engineered for rapid deployment and long-term resilience in utility systems, thanks to its fully galvanized treatment. These modular tower bases are designed to withstand extreme conditions—whether hot, cold, wet, dry, or windy—as they travel the globe in diverse climates.

In the realm of cutting-edge equipment, the Original Equipment Manufacturing category honored the Tampa General Hospital Rooftop Helipad in Tampa, FL. Engineered for both emergency response and coastal conditions, this life-critical structure leverages galvanizing to ensure operational safety and structural integrity. The helipad’s steel structure, weighing 122 tons, features a zinc coating averaging 11.4 mils in thickness, providing a lifespan of over 100 years with minimal maintenance.

In the Transportation sector, the Worcester Union Station Improvement Project in Worcester, MA, modernized a historic transportation hub with galvanized pedestrian walkways and rail infrastructure—ensuring safe, long-lasting access for commuters in Massachusetts. For more than 40 years, the MBTA has consistently specified hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) for its infrastructure projects—a testament to its confidence in the process.

And rounding out the list is the Water & Marine winner, the Candle Lake Control Structure Upgrades in Candle Lake, SK. This project showcases galvanizing’s critical role in water management systems, providing essential corrosion resistance in a moisture-heavy, high-impact environment.

From artistic expressions to life-saving infrastructure, the 2025 Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Award winners represent the durability, versatility, and sustainability of galvanizing. Congratulations to all the remarkable teams and visionaries behind these projects—you’ve raised the bar for what’s possible with a zinc coating. To see more hot-dip galvanized steel projects including other submissions to the 2025 competition and past winners, please visit the AGA Project Gallery.

Contact AGA Senior Marketing Coordinator Rebecca Spodick for more information, high quality images, or specific project articles.

Complete List of Winners, by Category: