The 2018 Brick Awards
beat its record number of entries this year with 332 projects entering the
prestigious competition, across 15 categories.
The Brick Awards
showcases the very best examples of clay brick in the UK’s built environment. A
42-year legacy has celebrated myriad bold and interesting architecture,
demonstrating again this year an extraordinary caliber of projects.
The task of
shortlisting fell to a panel of experienced architects, planners, specilaist
brickwork contractors, developers and other design and brick experts, who
produced a final shortlist of 110 projects.
(Click here to view the
shortlist in full)
Selected across three
categories is the regeneration of the former BBC Television Centre. Picking up
nominations in the Large Housing Development, Innovation and Commercial
categories the project uses brick to meet both the aesthetic requirements of
such a prestigious project and seamlessly link all elements of the project’s
construction. Judges agreed that the final outcome of the project was a
stunning display of traditionally laid brickwork being used alongside modern
methods of construction encompassing large format precast panels and
lightweight brick slip cladding.
Refurbishment, a
category which always sees a high number of entrants thanks to brick’s
sustainable quality saw an artistic entry this year with Turner’s House making
it through to the inspection stage of the judging process. Turner’s House is a
small, grade II listed, early C19th villa, designed by the eminent painter,
J.M.W.Turner. The building deteriorated over the years but now thanks to a
clever use of original and new brick the building has been restored to its
former glory.
Judges were also
impressed with Ouseburn Road in Newcastle, nominated in the Small Housing
Development category. The project’s brief called for two houses for a
pair of neighbours looking to downsize. Both homes provide modest accommodation
on a restricted budget in the back gardens of standard terrace houses.
Construction is fairly traditional. Innovation comes from turning this ordinary
scenario into architecture which enhances the user experience and contributes
positively to the urban environment.
“What is great about
the Brick Awards is how they can be for both craftsmanship and innovation. The
awards are about architecture in its broadest sense, and they consider a great
range of building types, locations and densities.” - Hilary Satchwell,
Director, Tibbalds and Brick Awards 2018 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 induvial 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 8th November at London’s Park
Lane Hilton Hotel.
