Birdair, Iron Workers LU #5 Win IMPACT Project of the Year Award for Under Armour Global HQ
Prestigious award celebrates superior collaboration and execution on landmark project
Birdair, the world’s leading specialty contractor for custom tensile membrane structures for nearly 70 years, in partnership with Iron Workers Local Union #5, Washington D.C., has been awarded the 2024 Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) Project of the Year award. The honor, presented in the Architectural/Ornamental (Below 5,000 work-hours) category, recognizes their exceptional work on the new state-of-the-art Under Armour Global Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland.
The IMPACT award celebrates the successful collaboration and superior execution demonstrated on this landmark project, where Birdair’s technical leadership was pivotal to the realization of the ambitious vision from Under Armour, Inc., and the project architect, Gensler, looking to transform the building’s exterior aesthetics. The headquarters features a complex 21,000-square-foot ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) façade system designed, engineered and installed by Birdair. The lightweight TensoSky® ETFE film—highly durable and fully transparent—serves not only as a striking architectural feature but also contributes to the building’s overall sustainability strategy.
James (JT) Thomas, Director of Construction and Michele Roth, Business Development Manager and Director of Marketing represented Birdair at the IMPACT awards event in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 2025.
“This award is a testament to the power of collaboration, precision engineering, and the highly skilled labor of our partners at Iron Workers LU #5,” Thomas said. “Delivering a project of this complexity and visibility demonstrates what’s possible when determination and expertise meet architectural innovation. This recognition from IMPACT motivates our team to continue leading in tensile architecture and inspires us to raise the bar on every project we touch.”
From the earliest phase of the project, Birdair provided comprehensive design-assist services, translating the architects’ concepts into technical solutions. The ETFE façade system, spanning over 400 feet long with 27 total panels ranging from 50 feet tall up to 75 feet tall, required custom fabrication to fit within the geometry of the mass timber structure and meticulous engineering to accommodate environmental loads, including challenging wind vortexes created by the site’s proximity to the bay. The structural steel arched framing system features a tapered projection weighing a total of 105 tons. Transport logistics added additional complexity, with all components precisely designed to ship in standard sea containers and arrive for rapid, sequenced assembly.
On-site installation of the ETFE panels was executed with precision, requiring a coordinated effort between Birdair’s field supervisors and Iron Workers LU #5’s specialized crew. Unique project challenges included the development of temporary access systems and a custom beam/load distribution approach to integrate boom lifts on sensitive green roof areas without compromising structural integrity. Rigorous quality management and close coordination with project partners ensured both safety and technical excellence throughout the process.
Birdair’s system not only delivers a dramatic, light-filled aesthetic but supports Under Armour’s aggressive sustainability targets. The ETFE panels were engineered to maximize daylight transmission while minimizing solar heat gain and overall material weight, directly contributing to the project’s pursuit of LEED® Platinum and Net Zero energy goals. The façade’s tailored pattern further expresses the brand’s dynamic identity, reinforcing Under Armour’s commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Chartered in 1901, Ironworkers Local Union #5 currently represents more than 1,000 Ironworkers in the heart of Washington, D.C., representing journeymen, apprentices and retirees from the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Ironworkers LU #5 played a major role in the construction of the regions’ most famous structures, including the Capital Building, Northwest Stadium, M&T Bank Stadium, Nationals Park, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Capital One Arena, and the Amazon Headquarters.
Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) aims to expand job opportunities for ironworkers and contractors across the country by improving the economic competitiveness of the ironworking industry; identifying and expanding work opportunities for ironworkers and signatory contractors; and establishing innovative marketing programs and tools for promoting the ironworking industry on the local and national levels.
For more information on Birdair’s innovative roofing systems, canopies and skylights, visit Birdair.com and follow Birdair on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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About Birdair
Birdair, Inc., is the leading specialty design build contractor of custom tensile structures around the world. In addition to pre-construction services such as design assistance, budgeting, construction methodologies and project scheduling, Birdair provides design-build solutions in all aspects of project design, fabrication, installation and maintenance. The company offers a selection of architectural fabric membranes, including PTFE-coated fiberglass, TensoSky® ETFE film, PVC and Tensotherm™, an insulated tensioned membrane system. Birdair, based in Buffalo, NY, is a member of the Taiyo Kogyo Group, with operations serving North and South America and other international locations. For more information about Birdair, call 1-800-622-2246 or visit Birdair.com.
Contacts:
Pipitone
Chris Hayes
Content Strategist
chayes@pipitone.com | 412.321.0879
Birdair
Michele Roth
Director of Marketing
MicheleR@birdair.com | 716.633.9500
