Contractor and homeowner Alan Kanner wanted his house to respect its hilly, wooded surroundings in Takoma Park, Maryland while also being creative, cool and fun. Playing a prominent role in the home’s design are metal wall panels from ATAS International.

Kanner (of Added Dimensions Inc.) called on McInturff Architects, Bethesda, Md., to transform the 1,700 sq. ft. house by adding a second floor for three bedrooms and two bathrooms, leaving the main level and basement for living, dining and entertaining.

The exterior became a unique, playful expression of shadows and texture with ATAS metal wall panels. The 0.032-inch aluminum Opaline (OPM045) panels in Black clad the exterior. Opaline is a structural panel that can be installed on open framing as well as a solid substrate. Opaline installs as a tongue-and-groove system with mechanical fasteners that are hidden by the adjacent panel. The distributor was The Roof Center, Brentwood, Md. Added Dimensions Inc. was the metal panel installer.

The home won the 2013 Chairman’s Award from the Metal Construction Association (MCA) in the Residential category. The judges thought this unique project contrasted well with the surrounding forest, and they admired the simple use of materials throughout the whole façade and attention to changing textures based on panel orientation.

The annual MCA Chairman's Awards are given to outstanding building projects involving MCA members. The awards honor innovation and creativity while showcasing how metal products help achieve exceptional building designs. A panel of noteworthy architects selected the winners.