2019 Brick Awards shortlist revealed from record number of entries
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The 2019 Brick Awards beat its record number of entries again this year with 349 entries across 15 hotly-contested categories.
The Brick Awards showcases the very best examples of clay brick in the UK’s built environment. For 43 years the event has celebrated a broad range of bold, unique and inspiring architectural works and this year is no exception.
The task of shortlisting fell to a panel of exceptionally credentialled architects, planners, specialist brickwork contractors, developers and other brick experts, who produced a final shortlist of 112 entries.
Picking up three nominations in this year’s shortlist is The Interlock by Bureau de Change Architects. Staffordshire Blue Clay bricks provide a distinctive and idiosyncratic facade for The Interlock, a five-storey mixed-use building in the heart of London. Judges were blown away by the intricate detailing of the brick façade with the architects stating that; ‘The intention of the design is to challenge the idea of craftsmanship and what that is in our time.’ The Interlock façade is made of 5000 bespoke bricks resulting in a stunning project and, nominations in the Innovation, Craftmanship and Small Housing Development categories.
Another multi-nominated project is Cambridge Central Mosque by Marks Barfield Architects, recognised in the Innovation and Public categories. The mosque is intended as a spiritual and cultural centre not only for Muslims but also the wider community; integrated into and, respectful of its neighbourhood. The project was praised for its stunning realisation and the certainty with which it delivers what it set out to achieve; a British mosque designed for the 21st century. The cladding reflects both local vernacular materials and Islamic sacred traditions, with the protruding headers used to create geometric brickwork patterns that reflect Arabic calligraphy.
This year the Brick Awards has split the housing categories into: Individual, Small (25 units or less), Medium (26-100 Units) and Large (101 Units or more). The event consistently sees a strong shortlist of projects in the housing categories and, 2019 sees a variety of styles, which aptly demonstrate the versatility of clay brick in its contribution to a safe, sustainable housing stock.
Among the nominees for Large Housing Development was The Old Printworks, Edinburgh, by jmarchitects, a high-quality 5 storey, 237-bed purpose-built student accommodation development. The judges highlighted the consideration of the building’s historical context and the brightness that has been brought to the neighbourhood through the project’s considered materiality.
Judges were also impressed with Ten Oaks by Kirkland Fraser Moor, shortlisting the project in the Individual Housing category. The curved roof of this environmentally low-impact home in the Chilterns is a highlight of this unique property.
The reimagining of the site’s historic fabric earned The Old Bakery in Deptford, by Lipton Plant Architects, its position on the Small Housing Development shortlist. A selection of intelligent brick detailing, including the use of protruding headers, creates a textured, eye-catching façade that contributes successfully to the existing urban grain.
“Shortlisting down from almost 350 submissions was not an easy process as the judges carefully considered a range of place, design and detailed criteria within each category. In the end we managed to select those schemes that we considered from the submission material to best respond to the high standards set by the Brick Awards. The judges are really looking forward to assessing the shortlisted schemes through visits at the next stage. The range and depth of the submissions this year has remained strong.” – Hilary Satchwell, Director, Tibbalds and Brick Awards 2019 Head Judge.
What really sets the Brick Awards apart from any other industry awards is the process to find the overall winners. After the rigorous shortlisting, the judges now go into exceptional depth, including visits to every shortlisted site in the UK, to consider the individual merits of each project. The awards criteria span planning, design and quality of construction including, of course, the substantial and skilful use of clay brick. Applications range from classic clay building blocks and facing bricks to the creative use of ceramic façade panels, roof tiles and clay pavers. Special attention is directed to the general quality of the architecture and how the building shows sensitivity to its surroundings and purpose.
The winners will be announced at the Brick Awards ceremony on the 13th November at the Royal Lancaster, London.
To reserve your place at the Brick Awards please click here.
