2023 Brick in Architecture Awards Honor Standout Brick Designs

1) About Brick in Architecture Awards

The Brick in Architecture Awards recognize and celebrate innovative and sustainable ways of designing with clay brick. These impressive projects compete in nine categories for Best in Class, Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards. The Craftsmanship Award is the highest accolade that a project can receive. The Brick in Architecture Awards cover categories such as Craftsmanship, Thin Brick, International, Residential Single Family, Commercial, Residential Multi-Family, Education (Colleges & Universities), Paving and Landscaping, Education (K-12), and Historic Renovation.

© Parrish Ruiz de Velasco

2) 2023 Brick in Architecture Awards

The Best in Class winners for the 35th edition of the Brick in Architecture Awards competition include:

1. Commercial

– Ace Hotel Toronto

The Ace Hotel Toronto is a prime example of how well-thought-out architecture and design can positively impact its surroundings. In contrast to the recent trend of constructing thin and glassy buildings in the area, the Ace Hotel Toronto’s brick facade pays tribute to the durability and strength of older structures. The brick is arranged in panels with vertical coursing, giving it a contemporary feel while blending in with its surroundings. The Ace Hotel Toronto’s design engages a larger conversation with the city’s architectural history.

© Scott Norsworthy

• Architect: Shim-Sutcliffe Architects
• Brick Manufacturer: Endicott Clay Products Company
• Mason Contractor: Limen Group

2. Educational (Colleges & Universities)

– TCU Music Center

© Louis E. Curtis Jr.

• Architect: Bora Architecture & Interiors
• Brick Manufacturer: Acme Brick Company
• Mason Contractor: Wilks Masonry LLC

3. Educational – K-12

– John Webb Elementary School

© Parrish Ruiz de Velasco

• Architect: BRW Architects
• Brick Manufacturer: Cloud Ceramics
• Brick Distributor: Blackson Brick Company
• Mason Contractor: Accurate Masonry of Texas, Inc.

4. Historic Renovation

– Foundry 101

© Anton Grassl

• Architect: CambridgeSeven
• Brick Manufacturer: The Stiles & Hart Brick Company
• Mason Contractor: Fernandes Masonry, Inc.

5. International

– TIC Art Center

© Anton Grassl

Architect: DOMANI Architectural Concepts
Brick Manufacturer: LOPO China

6. Paving & Landscaping

West End Square

© Williiam Sundquist

• Architect: Field Operations
• Brick Manufacturer: Whitacre-Greer
• Brick Distributor: Blackson Brick Company
• Mason Contractor: Paver Pro

7. Residential Multifamily

– 1 Boeurm Place

© Michael Young; Avery Hall Investments

• Architect: SLCE
• Brick Manufacturer: Taylor Clay Products
• Mason Contractor: HDK Construction

8. Residential Single Family

– Canvas House

© Teddy Shropshire, Younes Bounhar

• Architect: PARTISANS
• Brick Manufacturer: Taylor Clay Products
• Brick Distributor: Thames Valley Brick
• Mason Contractor: Finbarr Sheehan

9. Thin Brick

– 345 North Morgan

This project received the Best In Class award in the Thin Brick category and won Bronze in the Commercial category at the 2023 Brick in Architecture Awards.

© Kendall McCaugherty

• Architect: Eckenhoff Saunders
• Brick Manufacturer: Interstate Brick
• Brick Distributor: Bricks Incorporated
• Mason Contractor: Illinois Masonry Corporation