THE „BRICK AWARD“ IMPRESSIVELY DEMONSTRATES THAT BRICK AS A BUILDING MATERIAL IS FAR FROM OBSOLETE. BECAUSE HERE, ARCHITECTS FROM ALMOST EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD SHOW HOW CONTEMPORARY THE NATURAL BUILDING MATERIAL CAN BE – AND ARE HONOURED FOR IT.
“Today more than ever, architecture is faced with the task of
to make affordable housing possible and at the same time
natural resources of our planet. We see the necessary innovative strength in the projects nominated for the Brick Award 24.nominated projects for the Brick Award 24.impressively demonstrate the potential that lies in theof different types of brick. Especially resefficient construction and the use of local materialsmaterials are not only an ongoing trend, but also the the proverbial foundation for sustainable quality of life.quality of life. It is therefore all the more important to offer these inspiringexamples of best practice”,HEIMO SCHEUCH,
CEO, WIENERBERGER AG
Clay bricks are the oldest prefabricated building element in existence. Early civilisations from around 8000 BC used it as a building material alongside wood and other natural materials. Whether in the Roman or Byzantine Empire, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance or the Baroque period – bricks were used to build everything from simple houses to true masterpieces of architecture. Brick architecture still plays an important role today in the 21st century. The Brick Award, which the Austrian company wienerberger launched two decades ago, provides a remarkable overview.
The aim was and is to honour outstanding achievements in brick architecture and to highlight the transformative power of brick in contemporary design. It also aims to emphasise the versatility and modernity of brick as a natural building material. Although wienerbergacts as host, the Brick Award is an independent award and the use of wienerberger products is not a factor for participation.
The participants
A total of 743 projects from 54 countries were submitted. 31 of the 50 projects on the shortlist come from Europe, nine from Central and South America, the rest from North America, Australia, India and other Asian countries such as Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. It is already clear at this point how varied the projects are. And how difficult it will be to determine the winners.
The Jury
This time, the architects who have the challenging task of making a considered selection are: Christelle Avenier from France, Christine Conix from Belgium, Wojciech Malecki from Poland, Boonserm Premthada from Thailand and Ingrid van der Heijden from the Netherlands. They will select the winners in the five categories, including the Grand Prize Winner. The five categories are: “Feeling at home”, “Living together”, “Working together”, “Sharing Public Spaces” and “Building outside the box”.
The winners of each category and the overall winner of the Brick Award 24 will be announced at an event in Vienna in June. In recent years, projects have been submitted from all over the world and nominations and winners have been selected from a wide range of manufacturers and brick types in all colours and shapes. In dialogue with interested parties,architects and Architecture Entusiasts as well as critics, the aesthetic and functional aspects of the building material are to be brought even more into the public eye.