With the ultimate goal of relocating three entities all under one roof, The Hagerman Group of Fort Wayne, IN - an American Buildings Authorized Builder - was contracted to build a new campus for Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana. As a result, The Hagerman Group was awarded the American Buildings 2021 Building of the Year Excellence in Design Award in the Special Projects category.

Located in Fort Wayne, the 36,000 square foot building now houses JANI Headquarters, JA Biz Town, and JA Finance Park — with the purpose of increasing Junior Achievement’s exposure to aid in raising funds and recruiting volunteers. It features a Grand Hall, Entrepreneur Center, and corporate offices. The facility includes two single slope pre-engineered buildings and two lean-tos, all added to a conventionally framed middle structure. The structure utilizes American Buildings’ Standing Seam 360 roof panel and Architectural III wall system.

The highly anticipated Excellence in Design Awards competition is open to all American Buildings Authorized Builders. The awards recognize Builders for their innovation, diverse application, and distinction in design in the metal buildings industry. Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges.

“The Excellence in Design Awards highlight the talented professionals in the metal buildings industry,” said Carlie Smith, Marketing Director for Nucor Buildings Group. “Our Builders exemplified their resilience, flexibility, and innovation through a challenging year, and we are inspired by all the creative projects entered by our skilled Builders. We are honored to award the 2021 Building of the Year to The Hagerman Group for the Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana project.”

For 2021, judges chose from over 100 entries and selected the best projects in 12 categories. Winners were announced for each category and were eligible to compete for the Excellence in Design top award: 2021 Building of the Year.