Downtown FabWorks, a leading provider of turnkey fabrication solutions for creative projects across the attractions industry, has announced that its collaboration with AZZ Galvanizing – Baton Rouge on the Bucktown Bird’s Nest Learning Pavilion has earned top recognition at the 2025 American Galvanizers Association (AGA) Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Awards.
The project received an Excellence Award in the Recreation & Entertainment category, highlighting outstanding accomplishments in functionality, durability, and architectural innovation.
The Bucktown Bird’s Nest Learning Pavilion in Metairie, Louisiana, situated along Bucktown Harbor, serves as both a community gathering spot and an environmental education centre. Its unique steel framework, resembling a bird’s nest, invites visitors—particularly families and children—to discover the local habitat of native birds that flourish around Lake Pontchartrain.
Innovative design & execution
As the lead fabricator, Downtown FabWorks played a crucial role in bringing this vision to life. The structure was specially designed to withstand Louisiana’s challenging coastal conditions while preserving its artistic integrity. Throughout the process, from technical design to installation, the team tackled various logistical and technical challenges, such as constructing a large spiral staircase and ensuring accurate galvanisation details.
“This project embodies the intersection of creativity, community, and conservation,” says Daniel Krall, owner and founder of Downtown FabWorks. “Bucktown Bird’s Nest is a testament to the power of imaginative design and the value of strong, reliable partnerships. We appreciated the consistent high quality and deep technical knowledge that AZZ Galvanizing brought to the process.”
Project manager Mattie Hanson of Downtown FabWorks was also specifically named in the Excellence Award, emphasising the team’s direct involvement and teamwork throughout the galvanisation process.
A sustainable approach
The expert team at AZZ Galvanizing’s Baton Rouge facility ensured the steel framework would last over time while seamlessly merging with its natural environment. Hot-dip galvanisation offers both durability and visual appeal, providing corrosion resistance, minimal upkeep, and a gentle metallic finish that complements the tones of the nearby lake and sky.
“The Bucktown Bird’s Nest stands as a quiet testament to urban resilience and creativity—a place where nature and neighborhood intersect, reminding us that beauty can thrive in even the most unexpected corners,” says John Moresi, sales manager for AZZ Galvanizing – Baton Rouge.
Using 10 tons of structural steel and 4 tons of hot-dip galvanising, the process demanded careful planning to manage large components and complex geometries. From handrails to staircases, AZZ’s expertise helped achieve a smooth coating process and long-lasting performance.
Environmental design excellence
The Bucktown Bird’s Nest Learning Pavilion is more than just a building—it’s a symbol of innovative sustainability. Designed to withstand high humidity, heavy coastal rains, and temperature fluctuations, the pavilion highlights the value of combining creative design with durable construction.
The project, recognised in the “Newly Complete” class within the Temperate Marine Environment category, was awarded for its galvanisation’s durability, aesthetic impact, corrosion resistance, sustainability efforts and cost-effective lifecycle.
The Bucktown Bird’s Nest Learning Pavilion is a key part of Jefferson Parish’s $15 million+ effort to transform the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline. As part of a multi-year project from Bucktown Harbor to Bonnabel Park, the steel structure supports goals like improving public lake access, environmental education, and strengthening the levee against storms.
Jennifer Van Vrancken, Jefferson Parish councilwoman, says: “The lake is a resource, but we’ve largely been walled off from it.”
The initiative, with projects like the Bird’s Nest, seeks to reconnect communities to their coastal environment by transforming the lakefront into a spacious backyard for residents. Nearby, the Bucktown Boardwalk invites visitors to explore local wetlands through an educational trail featuring interpretive signs.
Additionally, ongoing efforts such as the first-ever living shoreline protecting a federal levee showcase advanced storm mitigation techniques. This living shoreline will eventually feature 22 acres of marshland, nine rock jetties, and a protected paddle canal for kayakers and canoers.
The Bird’s Nest represents the intersection of these efforts—a creative symbol of community, ecological consciousness, and innovative design for the future.
Downtown FabWorks also recently partnered with Scenario Global to deliver new exhibits for the reopened Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The renovated museum was unveiled on 2 April and now offers an expansive and enhanced experience that combines historical narratives with cutting-edge design.
