BIA opens entries for 2016 Brick in Architecture Awards

Words: Lorelei HarloeThe Brick Industry Association (BIA) encourages entries for its 2016 Brick in Architecture Awards through April 30.

BIA’s annual design competition honors outstanding, innovative and sustainable architecture in 10 categories that incorporate clay brick products as the predominant exterior building or paving material.

Entries will be conducted entirely online at www.gobrick.com/Architecture-Awards, and the winners will be announced in June. Projects will be judged by a jury of peers.

"The annual Brick in Architecture Awards showcase the best clay brick projects in the country,” said Ray Leonhard, BIA president & CEO. "Architects demonstrate fired clay brick's aesthetic flexibility, and as a material made from abundant natural resources, it's a perfect strategy in sustainable design.”

Architectural and design firms may enter their best projects completed since January 1, 2011, in which new clay brick products comprise the predominant exterior building or paving material (over 50 percent). These include face or hollow brick, building brick, thin brick, paving brick, glazed brick, structural glazed facing tile, new clay brick products in special shapes and/or a combination of any of these aforementioned units.

Entries must be submitted online in one or more of the below categories:
  • Commercial
  • Commercial
  • Education — K-12
  • Education — Colleges & Universities (Higher Education)* -Health Care Facilities
  • Municipal / Government
  • Houses of Worship
  • Residential — Single Family
  • Residential — Multi-Family
  • Paving & Landscape Projects
  • Renovation (Additions)** / Restoration (Restoring)
*Includes residence halls & academic/administrative buildings

**Additions must use at least 50 percent new clay brick products on the building. Restoration must include at least 50% clay brick products, which must be new brick placed in the wall.

As the most prestigious juried competition of its kind, Best in Class winners will receive national recognition through a special Brick in Architecture insert in the December issue of Architect magazine. The insert will include other winners as well as in Brick News Online, and all entrants will be features in BIA’s online Photo Gallery.

For more information, contact .
Chairman's Message: REFLECTIONS SPANNING SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS
September 2025

MCAA has been posting lots of wonderful old photos from decades of records as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary. Many of these photos are black and white and show people at our MCAA events with men wearing suits and ties while the women wore dressy gowns

Business Building: What Are You Doing To Develop Future Leaders?
September 2025

When I ask my coaching clients if they have anyone in their construction company who could potentially move up from field superintendent to estimator or project manager, the typical answer is “No!” The same answer is usually given when asked if they have

Building More: Smoke Signals or Fire Extinguishers
September 2025

Ever watch a hot-potato game break out on your jobsite? It usually starts small. Somebody spots a crooked door frame, mutters, “I’ll make a note,” and flicks the issue to the next trade like it’s radioactive. By the time that frame comes back around, dryw

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 27 Recap: Rob McKay, Chief Operating Officer at Instone
September 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Rob McKay from Instone joins the show to talk about his story as well as the processes and procedures of manufacturing natural stone. Getting Started in Masonry: Rob’s Story Rob entered the masonry field by