Brick Awards
The annual Brick Awards is one of the longest established and most widely respected design awards in the UK.
The Awards recognise excellence in design and construction using brick. Each year hundreds of entries are submitted and 14 prestigious trophies and more than 50 certificates are issued to the successful projects. The architect/designer, brick manufacturer and specialist brickwork contractor are all acknowledged on each project.
Anyone can enter the awards - architects/designers, owners, developers, house-builders, specialist brickwork contractors and brick manufacturers. The Awards are made in a number of categories covering different aspects of design and construction. All projects featuring clay bricks and clay pavers manufactured by BDA member companies are eligible, with the exception of the Worldwide Brick Award.
Award Categories
Best Private Housing Development
This award is for any type of private sector new-build residential accommodation. One-off homes, larger housing developments and flats are all eligible. Schemes that form part of a larger mixed-use project can also be entered.
Best Public Housing Development
This award is open to any type of public sector new build residential accommodation. One-off homes, larger housing developments and flats are all eligible. Schemes that form part of a larger mixed-use project can also be entered.
Volume Housebuilding Award
This award is aimed at volume house builders who have made extensive use of brick in their schemes. Entrants must submit a portfolio of three projects that showcase interesting and varied uses of brickwork on a diverse range of their developments.
Best Commercial Building
This award is for all types of commercial building – offices, retail or leisure schemes, industrial buildings or mixed-use developments.
Best Public Building
This award is for all types of public buildings (except housing). To qualify, projects must have been funded by public or lottery money. PFI schemes are also included.
Best Refurbishment Project
This award is for all refurbishment projects where brick makes a major contribution. Please provide, if appropriate, good “before” and “after” photographs.
Best Landscape Project
This award is for the use of clay bricks and clay pavers in hard landscape design schemes. These may be urban, garden, amenity or leisure applications. Innovative design features that use brick in a sculptural way are also eligible.
Sustainability Award
This award is for the project that best demonstrates the responsible use of resources be they human, financial or natural. The submission should include a short report detailing the sustainability credentials of the project.
Innovative Use of Brick and Clay Products
This award is for any building or civil engineering project that displays a particularly innovative use of brick. For example, the project might exhibit a pioneering structural solution, or use brick in a clever way to improve its sustainability. Modular clay walling or clay rainscreens are eligible. Other types of innovation could include projects that have employed brick pre-fabrication or gluing techniques. Be sure to spell out why the project is so special, and the role brick played in it.
Best International Project
This Award is for projects sited in locations outside the UK using products of BDA member companies manufactured in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Design, craftsmanship and contribution to exports will all be considered.
Specialist Brickwork Contractor of the Year
This category rewards the brickwork contractor for his contribution to the industry. Judges will look for achievement in training and investment and/or health and safety. Entrants need to explain (on a separate sheet) just why they feel they deserve the Award and must also include excellent photography that conveys the quality of their work. Entrants must also complete the special section on the entry form.
Best Craftsmanship Award
This award highlights the craft and skill of the bricklayer. Open to projects of all types, this award recognises the highest standards of craftsmanship. The photography must demonstrate the quality of the craftsmanship.
Worldwide Brick
This Award is open to any brick building built outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The Award will be judged from photographs and will consider design and craftsmanship. There is no restriction on the manufacturer of the bricks. The winner of this category will not be eligible for the BDA Building of the Year.
The BDA Building of the Year – Supreme Award
This award is made to the project considered to be the best overall. Each of the 12 category winners will be automatically entered.