 |
 |
||||||
[March 2009]
Hunt Is On For Britain’s Best Brickwork
The search is underway to find the best brickwork in action. The Brick Development Association (BDA) has opened the door for this year’s Brick Awards.
It’s one of the top design and construction awards in the UK – and the definitive showcase for what clay brick can do. Every year, hundreds of companies fight it out for the prizes. The standards are high, the competition fierce. Past winners include the stunning brickwork at St Pancras Station, Liverpool’s Blue Coat Building, social housing in Sale, a hair salon in Belfast and hard landscaping at the Barbican Centre in London.
Thirteen trophies and one supreme award, the BDA Building of the Year, are up for grabs and everyone involved in creating the winning projects – the architect/designer, the brickmaker and the brickwork contractor – is saluted.
“The annual Brick Awards is one of the UK’s longest established and most respected construction industry awards,” says BDA Chairman Alan Baxter. “For the winners it’s true recognition of their skill and craft. They’re recognised by their industry as being the best in the business.”
Alongside that recognition, winners can look forward to extensive media coverage and can use the accolade in their marketing campaigns. The Brick Awards show just what brick – the UK’s most popular cladding material – can achieve. Entrants are judged on architectural design and the choice of brick. The judges are also seeking attention to good brick detailing and quality craftsmanship.
Last year’s winning project came top on the strength of its architecture, which was brought to life by the choice of brick and the quality of the brickwork. The Brick Award judges dubbed the new music and drama building at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith “an architectural gem”.
The Brick Awards are open to anyone, whether they are architects/designers, building owners, developers, housebuilders, contractors or brick manufacturers. The only stipulation is that the project – unless it’s featured in the Worldwide category – must feature clay bricks or pavers made by BDA members.
ENDS