Winning awards is great. Just ask anyone who has won one! However, industry-specific awards mean more to the companies that win them. Why? The criteria for winning are established by a group of experts in that industry. In the case of architectural designs that feature the look and feel of brick, one of the most respected organizations for judging this excellence is The Brick Industry Association (BIA). Since its founding in 1934, the association has been the nationally recognized authority on clay brick construction.
The architectural firms of Kirksey Architects of Houston, Architexas of Dallas, and Handel Architects of New York City offered stunning originality in the use of brick for their winning designs, while the masonry companies of Brazos Masonry, Inc., Skinner Masonry LLP, and SNC Brick LLC specialize in brick construction. All took home “Brick in Architecture Awards” for 2024.
What This Means for You — Brick construction has been an integral part of home and commercial construction since the beginning of civilization. While the techniques for design and construction of buildings have evolved over the millennia, and manufacturing of brick has improved, the basic composition of these heat-fired blocks of clay and shale are the same as they have always been. Finding innovative and sustainable ways to use these building blocks for contemporary buildings involves a level of ingenuity that is timeless.
For more than 130 years, Acme Brick has manufactured long-lasting brick for residential and commercial construction. While awards are wonderful, we continue to be judged by the customers we keep. If your project is considering brick for construction, click here to talk to an expert.
According to a press release issued by the association, “Since 1989, BIA has been showcasing the year’s most impressive clay brick projects in the annual Brick In Architecture Awards competition. The 2024 awards brought in 39 projects that placed in Best in Class, Gold, Silver, and Bronze across the 9 different categories, as well as an overall Craftsmanship Award that only one project earned.
The categories are Craftsmanship, Thin Brick, International, Residential Single Family, Commercial, Residential Multi-Family, Education (Colleges & Universities), Paving and Landscaping, Education (K-12), and Historic Renovation.
Here are the three projects whose winning entries have an Acme Brick connection.
Since its grand opening in 2019, the Fabrication Center at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) has drawn accolades from the architectural community, winning a design award from the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects. This proved to be just the beginning of recognition for this state-of-the art educational facility.
“The long hours spent with (Houston-based) Kirksey Architects over this past year and the feedback they received from us paid off,” said Ikhlas Sabouni, dean of PVAMU’s School of Architecture. “We insisted on a high-quality design coupled with functional direction from our faculty and students. The result was a winning design.”
The university added, “The Fabrication Center housed under PVAMU’s School of Architecture features a variety of equipment allowing students to build, develop and test their design ideas using the most advanced technology in the market.”
Photo credit: Joe Aker
For a closer look at this unique design, click here.
“In addition to traditional equipment, the new Fabrication Center has several digital tools such as laser cutters, 3D printers, a robotic arm, and a 10-ton crane. Additionally, it has a photography shop and a print shop digital media lab,” said Sabouni. “The center is designed to prepare students to be experts in using the latest technology in designing, fabricating, and constructing buildings. It will also provide opportunities for faculty and students to conduct research related to materials, sustainability, affordability, and new construction techniques that can benefit the school, the design and building industry, and the community.”
Project Team:
Architect: Kirksey Architecture
Manufacturer: Acme Brick Company
Mason: Brazos Masonry Inc.
The architects at Dallas-based Architexas found a brilliant way to combine the best of the old and new with their “Grapevine Main” project, and they did it with material provided by Acme Brick Tile & Stone.
Located in downtown Grapevine, Texas, this stunning rail station blends historic charm with modern functionality, serving the TEXRail commuter line and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad line. Its iconic 150-foot clock tower and timeless brick design pay tribute to the city’s rich heritage while paving the way for future transit-oriented development.
Grapevine Main took home a Brick in Architecture Bronze Award from the Brick Industry Association.
Click here to see why this project caught the attention of the judges!
Project Team:
Architect: Architexas
Manufacturer: Yankee Hill Brick Manufacturing Company
Distributor: Acme Brick Company
Mason: Skinner Masonry LLP
The visionaries at New York City – based Handel Architects reimaged a former warehouse area into a stunning new place to live. According to the firm, “35 Commercial Street is a new 100% affordable residential building at Green Point Landing, a 22-acre waterfront site in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn.
“The project is one of several new buildings transforming this formerly industrial area into a thriving new neighborhood. 35 Commercial contains 374 residences, bicycle parking, a fitness room, children’s play area, storage room, and retail. 57 units have been set-aside for formerly homeless applicants, and those units include assistance with furnishings, as well as ongoing social services provided via a partnership with non-profit social service organization ‘Breaking Ground.’”
“The goal at 35 Commercial was to celebrate Greenpoint’s predominantly brick character by using brick in ways that are both traditional and unexpected. Brick was used not only to honor and reinterpret Greenpoint’s character, but also for its warmth, and the way it creates the feeling of a sense of home for the 374 families that live here.”
For this magnificent project, Handel Architects was awarded the BIA Bronze award for “Residential-Multifamily” project.
Photo credit: Michael Young
For a quick look at this innovative project, just click here.
Project Team:
Architect: Handel Architects
Manufacturers: Acme Brick Company, Interstate Brick
Distributors: Belden Tri-State Building Materials, King’s Material, Inc.
Mason: SNG Brick LLC
The history of brick construction has been fascinating to observe. With visionary architecture, masonry and brick manufacturers, the future will be bright! Congratulations to all the winners of the “Brick in Architecture” awards.
Of course, the real winners are the schools, companies and families who get to have a great place to live and work, surrounded by the beauty and sustainability of brick.
If your next project is considering brick construction, take a closer look at the photographs from this year’s winners of the “Brick in Architecture” contest. They might give you some great ideas!
