The Valspar Corporation was honored with the Metal Construction Association (MCA) 2014 Chairman’s Award in the Institutional project category for its contribution to Florida’s Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral’s color-changing, metal-clad exterior. The Port’s new, shimmering, iridescent welcome center showcases the first use of Valspar’s new Kameleon™ Color mica coating as spray-applied to Firestone Metal Products’ UNA-CLAD™ metal wall panels by Linetec, one the nation’s largest finishers of architectural aluminum.

The annual MCA awards recognize innovation and creativity, while showcasing how metal products help achieve exceptional building designs. Taking its cues from the shapes and hues of the port, GWWO Inc./Architects designed the $23 million, seven-story, sail-shaped structure.

GWWO selected Valspar’s Blue Pearl II color-changing paint to capture the themes of revitalization and change it sought to represent for the Port Canaveral area. Along with its unique appearance, the finish must withstand Florida’s hurricane wind speeds, unrelenting sun and salt spray. Kameleon Colors offer the same, advanced protection as Valspar’s 70% PVDF Fluropon® product family in rich, pearlescent pigments that shift in color when viewed from different angles.

Skanska USA served as the general contractor of the 23,000-square-foot project, which opened in November 2013. Kenpat USA was the subcontractor responsible for the exterior metal façades and wall system. In addition to the Kameleon Colors’ Blue Pearl II finish on southern seaside elevation, Linetec also applied Valspar’s Fluropon White finish to the northern elevation’s aluminum-framed curtainwall offering views of the bustling port.

Valspar and the other building team members were presented with the MCA Chairman’s Award during the METALCON Conference in Denver on Oct. 1. Valspar’s contributions to Chaffin Junior High School’s addition/renovation in Arkansas also were honored in the category of Education – Primary and Secondary Projects. Valspar previously was recognized with an MCA 2013 Chairman’s Award as part of the Central Arizona College, Maricopa Campus project team.

The MCA awards are selected from among the entries submitted to Metal Architecture Magazine‘s annual Design Awards Program. A judging panel comprised of experienced architects and industry professionals make the selections. Learn more about the MCA and its awards at MetalConstruction.org.

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Photos by Rip Noel, Noel Studios Inc.

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