2025 RAiNA Awards: Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center
Among the many highlights of the RAiNA Conference 2025 was the celebration of outstanding projects exemplifying innovation and quality in rainscreen construction. We are proud to announce that the Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center in Winchester, VA, received a distinguished RAINA award in recognition of its exemplary design and execution.
About the Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center
Designed by VMDO in partnership with Reader + Swartz Architects, this 54,000-square-foot educational facility features a stunning exterior renovation of an existing brick building using Swisspearl high-density fiber cement panels with a diverse palette of red and dark grey slat panels, as well as wood slats - all applied in an advanced rainscreen system facilitated by ECO Cladding’s cost-effective visible-fastened Hci.10 System.
The project emphasizes sustainability, with natural daylighting and healthy materials, while incorporating a fully engineered wall system designed to address wind loads, seismic activity, building movements, and thermal expansion. This innovation center serves as a collaborative hub, supporting workforce readiness for both high school students and local community members.
Insights from the RAINA Conference Panel
The conference panel underscored the vital role of collaboration, communication, and careful planning in delivering successful rainscreen projects like the Shihadeh Innovation Center. Panelists addressed real-world challenges on job sites, sharing strategies to optimize material flow, coordinate trades, and prevent delays - lessons that resonate strongly with the approach taken on this award-winning project.
Looking Ahead
The recognition of the Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center with a RAINA award highlights the growing importance of innovation and excellence in rainscreen construction. As the industry continues to evolve, forums like the RAINA Conference are critical to fostering knowledge exchange and driving future advancements.
We thank all who joined the conversation and celebrate those who push the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable building design.
For more details on the project, visit ECO Cladding’s project page.