how is brick, a traditional building material, evolving in modern architecture? the 50 finalists for the Brick Award ([translate:BRICK AWARD]) 26, which recognizes the world’s most creative and inspiring brick architecture, have been announced. the biennial awards are organized by Austrian building materials brand Wienerberger ([translate:Wienerberger]), and celebrate the endless possibilities of brick as a material.

브릭 어워드 벽돌 건축물 브릭어워드 건축 디자인 세계 주목 — O 14, Spain ©BURR studio

Content Information

only 50 out of 849 projects from around the world

This year, out of 849 projects from 21 countries, only 50 were shortlisted for their creativity and architectural integrity

the shortlist is divided into five categories

: [translate:Feeling at home] (Residential housing)

private homes and small projects

[translate:Living together] (Urban housing):

collective housing projects in cities

[translate:Working together] (Commercial and industrial architecture):

commercial and industrial buildings

[translate:Sharing public spaces] (Public spaces):

public buildings, including educational and cultural spaces

[translate:Building outside the box] (Innovative architecture):

experimental and innovative work that thinks outside the box

Highlights of the nominees by continent

The nominees showcase innovative architectural designs that go beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar approach, combining technology, culture and sustainability.

Europe: A 3D printed ceramic façade in Amsterdam, Netherlands; a cogeneration plant in Leipzig, Germany; and the Park Hill regeneration project in Sheffield, UK.

stands out for its novel technical approach and recycling of materials.

Oceania: The Holocaust Museum in Melbourne, Australia, was nominated

it uses a combination of clay and glass bricks to create an architectural message of remembrance and recovery

]

[caption id="attachment_7672" align="alignnone" width="1024"]

64 University Place, United States ©Michael Young, KPF

the Americas: Brazil’s White Brick House showcased handcrafted details, while 64 University Place, New York, USA, showcased urban residential architecture that blends past and present

[

caption id=”attachment_7668″ align=”alignnone” width=”900″]

Shafagh Tomb, Iran ©35-51 Architecure office[/caption

]

Since 2004, the Brick Awards have explored the future of contemporary architecture through the oldest building material: brick

an international jury of architects will determine the final winner, with the award ceremony taking place on June 11, 2026 in Vienna. all 50 nominees will then be shared with the world in a ‘Brick Award Book’.

more information can be found on the official Brick Awards website. Frequently

asked questions (FAQ

)

what are the criteria for the Brick

Awards? A. The core criteria for the Brick Awards is how innovative and creative the use of the material brick is. We also

evaluate

the building’s design, functionality, sustainability, and harmony with the surrounding environment and culture

. Q.

have Korean buildings been nominated before?

A. Yes, several Korean buildings have been nominated or won at the Brick Awards in the past

for example, in 2018, The System Lab by Chanjoong Kim was nominated, and in 2020, Mjajip by Byungsoo Cho was nominated, highlighting the excellence of Korean brick architecture.

Q. where can I find the Brick Award Book

? A. The Brick Award Book will be released digitally on the official website after the awards ceremony, or available for purchase through major architecture bookstores

past winners and shortlisted entries can also be found in the Brick Awards website archive