The Brick Industry Association’s 2012 Brick in Architecture Awards put the spotlight on new projects that make creative use of one of humankind’s oldest and most beloved building materials. On these pages are several of the “Best in Class Winners” from this year’s BIA competition.
Wylie Civic Complex
The Wylie (Texas) Civic Complex weaves three public uses—city hall, recreation center, and public library—within a single tight design concept. The 137,000-sf complex, best in the municipal/government/civic category, attained LEED Silver certification. Architect: Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture, in association with Architexas. Mason contractor: DMG Masonry Ltd.
Bud Clark Commons
In the multifamily category, the award goes to Bud Clark Commons, which is described as a “centerpiece of the Portland’s plan to end homelessness.” The LEED Platinum apartment complex provides housing and comprehensive social services to the Oregon city’s homeless population. Architect: Holst Architecture. Mason contractor: J&S Masonry.
VIP Community Services, Men’s Residences
Honors in healthcare facilities go to the Men’s Residences facility in the East Tremont section of the Bronx, N.Y., a project of the Bronx-based nonprofit housing group VIP Community Services. This five-story, 30,000-sf facility provides housing, dining facilitiies, vocational training, and therapy for 80 men in addiction recovery. Architect/landscape architect: WASA/Studio A. Mason contractor: Procida Construction.
DuPage A.M.E. Chapel and Administrative Wing
The DuPage A.M.E. Chapel, the winner among houses of worship, provides a second chapel for this fast-growing congregation in Lisle, Ill., as well as a children’s church, classrooms, administrative offices, and a fellowship room. Architect: Harding Partners. Contractor: Moreton Construction. Mason contractor: J and E Duff.
Ogden International School of Chicago
Located on the site of an aging and overcrowded Chicago Public Schools building, the 110,000-sf K-8 school varies in design from the CPS prototype to reflect the uniqueness of Ogden’s international baccalaureate program. Architect: Nagle Hartray Architecture. Associate architect: Schroeder Murchie Niemiec Gazda-Auskalnis. Landscape architect: Terry Guen Design Associates. Contractor: Turner Construction Co. Mason contractor: Illinois Masonry Corp. +
Related Stories
Architects | Mar 27, 2015
Illustrator Federico Babina explores architecture as animals
When you pay attention, the Eiffel Tower really does look like a giraffe.
Transit Facilities | Mar 25, 2015
Kengo Kuma selected to design new Paris Metro station
The new station will serve as a hub to connect Paris' northern suburbs with the core.
Green | Mar 25, 2015
WELL Building Standard introduced in China
The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring features that impact human health and wellbeing, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.
High-rise Construction | Mar 24, 2015
Timber high-rise residential complex will tower over Stockholm waterfront
The four towers, 20 stories each, will be made entirely out of Swedish pine, from frame to façade.
Higher Education | Mar 23, 2015
Hong Kong university building will feature bioclimatic façade
The project's twin-tower design opens the campus up to the neighboring public green space, while maximizing the use of summer winds for natural ventilation.
Religious Facilities | Mar 23, 2015
Is nothing sacred? Seattle church to become a restaurant and ballroom
A Seattle-based real estate developer plans to convert a historic downtown building, which for more than a century has served as a church sanctuary, into a restaurant with ballroom space.
Government Buildings | Mar 23, 2015
SOM leads planning for Egypt’s new $45 billion capital city
To alleviate overcrowding and congestion in Cairo, the Egyptian government is building a new capital from scratch.
BIM and Information Technology | Mar 23, 2015
Skanska hosts three-week 'hackathon' to find architect for Seattle tower development
Searching for a nimble, collaborative design firm for its 2&U tower project in Seattle, the construction giant ditches the traditional RFQ/RFP process for a hackathon-inspired competition.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 23, 2015
Can advanced elevator technology take vertical hospitals to the next level?
VOA's Douglas King recalls the Odyssey project and ponders vertical transportation in high-rise healthcare design.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 22, 2015
New Joplin, Mo., hospital built to tornado-resistant standards
The new hospital features a window and frame system that can protect patients from winds of up to 250 mph.