The title of Supreme Winner at this year’s Brick Awards was awarded to Maccreanor Lavington’s, South Gardens which also picked up the title of best Large Housing Development.
Judges were almost unanimous in their decision to crown South Gardens as this year’s Supreme Winner praising the project for the way brick was used to make each block of the development unique.
Brick not only allowed the opportunity for creating a wide range of expressive detailing but also reinforced the sense of certainty and comfort synonymous with brick-built homes.
The project is the first phase of Elephant Park, a major regeneration project in Elephant and Castle that sees the demolition of the former Heygate Estate. The development’s specification of UK-manufactured bricks from three of the country’s leading manufacturers, Ibstock, Michelmersh and Wienerberger, is testament to Britain’s manufacturing quality.
The task of shortlisting the entrants fell to a panel of experienced architects, planners, brickwork contractors and industry experts, who produced a final shortlist of 84 projects. The winning projects showcase the potential of brick in modern architecture and design, displaying a variety of use and vision.
Among the winning projects was, Victoria Gate Arcade, collecting the prize for Best Commercial Building.
The latest of Leeds’ landmarks is a project of such scale and complexity that 3D software was used to plot and place every individual brick. There were approximately 360,000 used in total across 550 precast panels, which include Ketley's bespoke bricks and specials in a blend of light and dark, as well as brick slips.
The project is a fine example of the way in which precast technologies can complement the specification and application of established building products. The innovative design of pleated brickwork sits harmoniously with the richly textured historic brick of the surrounding architecture.
From commercial to regenerative, this year’s finalists blew away the judges with Dujardin Mews and Time Keepers Square (pictured) being named joint winners in the Urban Regeneration Project category.
Both projects see the renewal of areas in need, with Time Keepers Square sensitively keeping Salford up to date and Dujardin Mews being the first council housing scheme in Enfield for 40 years. Both use brick to blend in with the surrounding environment and managing to pay homage to the history of their settings.
The Brick Awards also boasts the Architects’ Choice category, which is a peer voted for category. This year saw a record number of entrants with Russell Jones Architects’, Mews House claiming the top spot among all shortlisted projects.
Using Wienerberger bricks, the project was designed with an economy of space, which required close attention to the balance between spatial means and design potential. The quality of the brickwork is complemented through the use of a carefully selected mortar, using white cement, lime and washed river sand, and a subtle manipulation of the surface texture using a method known in Scandinavia as ‘Sækkeskuring’. With a material palette and a design kept intentionally monochrome and uncomplicated, this compact two bedroom mews house now boasts a simple, striking finish.
In its 41st year the 2017 Brick Awards saw the largest volume of entries to date with 325 projects entered across 14 categories. With more outstanding entries than ever, the Brick Awards showcases the very best projects using UK member-manufactured bricks. With the quality of projects to this prestigious event always being of the highest calibre, this year was no exception.
Although all worthy winners the real success of the 2017 Brick Awards was the strength of the shortlist, proving that time and again brick evidences its role as the number one choice in design and build. This year saw more innovative approaches to the material and even more stunning results, not only championing the familiarity of brick but also the opportunity to use it in unique, forward thinking ways.
Winners in full:
Individual Housing Development
Modern Detached – St Albans – JOINT WINNER
Pennycroft – High Wycombe – JOINT WINNER
Small Housing Development
Barrett’s Grove – London – WINNER
Salesian House - London – COMMENDATION
Large Housing Development
South Gardens – London – WINNER
Aldgate Place – London – COMMENDATION
Large House Builder
Barratt London – London - WINNER
Urban Regeneration Project
Dujardin Mews – Enfield – JOINT WINNER
Timekeepers Square – Manchester – JOINT WINNER
Vitoria Gate Arcade – LEEDS – COMMENDATION
Commercial Building
Vitoria Gate Arcade – LEEDS – WINNER
M&S Foodhall – Northallerton - COMMENDATION
Best Public Building
Storyhouse, Chester – Chester – WINNER
West Croydon Bus Station – Croydon – COMMENDATION
Best Education Building
Sheffield Hallam University – Sheffield – WINNER
Abingdon School – COMMENDATION
Best Refurbishment Project
Queens University – Belfast – WINNER
Brighton Collage – COMMENDATION
Outdoor Space
West Croydon Bus Station – Croydon – WINNER
Innovative Use of Brick and Clay Products
Vitoria Gate Arcade – LEEDS – WINNER
Barrett’s Grove – London – COMMENDATION
Craftsmanship
Lady Margaret Hall – Oxford – WINNER
Specialist Brickwork Contractor
Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd (South Gardens and Lady Margaret Hall) - WINNER
Worldwide
The Old Church of Vilanova da la Barca – Spain – WINNER
Cartwright Gardens – London – HIGHLY COMMENDED
Campus Hall, University of Southern Denmark – Denmark - COMMENDATION
Supreme Winner
South Gardens – London – WINNER
Architects’ Choice
Mews House – London - WINNER
