Now into its 39th year, The Brick Awards is the longest, most well established design awards in the UK. The categories are open to Architects, House Builders, Brick Contractors, Brick Manufacturers, Owners and Developers, each celebrating design excellence and innovation using brick.
The annual awards ceremony, a key landmark in the brick industry's calendar was back again and bigger than ever. During a ceremony in central London this week the winners were unveiled.
Manchester’s Whitworth Gallery was the clear Supreme winner at this year's Brick Awards, as well as the winner of the Best Public and Education Building.
Extraordinary architectural quality both in its internal and external spatial arrangements, attention to detail and workmanship. The proportions of the external spaces are immensely effective and give a calmness and richness. The relationship to its surroundings is clear in the historic Whitworth building and its landscape setting, park and new courtyards. This building has tremendous architectural quality and its use of brick as an ornamental narrative device as well as a robust skin is exceptional.
The level of finesse in the brick detailing coursing jointing and patterning demonstrates a resurgent craft approach to building that is worthy of celebration across the whole construction industry.
Simon Hay, CEO for the Brick Development Association, said: "The Brick Awards is one of Britain's most respected design competitions. With the construction industry in a phase of growth and optimism, we are delighted to have received so many excellent entries demonstrating just what brick can achieve within the Built Environment."
In addition to the Supreme Award, there were 14 category awards, each showing excellence in different aspects of design and construction. You can see images and find full details of the project teams on the BDA’s website.