2004 International Design Competition Winning Entries

As a means to promote greater understanding and use of extruded aluminum profiles, the ET Foundation conducted the 2004 International Design Competition and received nearly 70 entries from students and professionals across the United States, Canada, and abroad. Designs were judged based on their use of the inherent attributes of aluminum extrusion including the effective use of close tolerances or complex profiles, extrusion process improvement, innovation in design, and likelihood of market success. Designs needed to be original and were required to make use of one or more extruded aluminum components. This year’s winning entries are as follows:

Professional Class Winning Entries by Category

Grand Prize: Extruded roof rail for a Mercedes automobile
Architectural: Smartframe System
Commercial: New Wave Truss
Industrial: End cap (for uranium rod holder)
Residential: Sequoia Free Standing Lift System
Transportation: Suspension Link Rod

Student Class Winning Entries

First Place: Traffic Light Post
Second Place: Modular Wine Rack
Third Place: Miter Brace for Sheds

Cash prizes were sponsored this year for the first time by Hydro Aluminum North America. In addition to the winning categories mentioned above, Hydro Aluminum North America created the Hydro Sustainable Design Award to honor the student design that demonstrates its benefits to society and the environment.

Hydro Sustainable Design Award: Traffic Light Post

For more information about aluminum extrusion, visit the Web site of the Aluminum Extruders Council (www.aec.org).