The Think Brick Awards 2019 winners

The Think Brick Award winners were announced last night at The Crown Palladium Melbourne, showcasing bold and brave designs in the use of clay bricks, concrete masonry and roof tiles in contemporary Australian architecture.

As Australia’s richest design awards, The Think Brick Awards handed out $70 000 in prize money to architects that demonstrated outstanding and innovative design.

CEO of Think Brick Australia, Elizabeth McIntyre said, “The winners last night displayed some of the boldest and bravest designs ever submitted to the Think Brick Awards.”

“The architects’ use of brick, masonry and roof tiles in their designs highlights how these materials are front of mind in contemporary Australian design.”

Two joint winners of the Horbury Hunt Commercial Award were announced on the night, both from buildings in Surry Hills.

“This year we have again awarded the Horbury Hunt Commercial Award to two designs as both are of extremely high calibre and significance,” said Mrs McIntyre.

“The Arc by Koichi Takada Architects and ROC by Smart Design Studio are exceptional examples of how brick can be used to draw awe and inspire.”

The winner of this year’s Horbury Hunt Residential Award, GB House by Renato D’Ettorre Architects, was awarded due to its ‘unexpected use of brick’.

“The perforated design of the terracotta bricks allow light to flow in and open up the property, creating a stunning house which sits perfectly in its locality,” said Mrs McIntyre.

The other major awards were given to designs that understood nuance, conveyed great skill, had beautiful composition, and were also bold and brave.

“The winners of our major awards in landscape, masonry, tile, and our new entrant award all display exemplary conception of design, choice in material, craftsmanship, and execution,” said Mrs McIntyre.

The full list of the 2019 Think Brick Award category winners are:

Arc by Koichi Takada Architects – Joint Winner of the Horbury Hunt Commercial Award

“A sign of maturity of the use of brick in Australia. A very special contribution to the city of Sydney.” – 2019 Jury 

ROC by Smart Design Studio – Joint Winner of the Horbury Hunt Commercial Award

“Bold, brave and harkens back to the glory days of public infrastructure. The brickwork is incredibly sculptural, and the project has a lovely human scale.” – 2019 Jury 

GB House by Renato D’Ettorre Architects – Winner of the Horbury Hunt Residential Award

“This project does things which you don’t expect with brick. It has a diaphanous, translucent quality as well as more traditional elements of mass that we expect.” – 2019 Jury

Doubleground by MUIR Architecture + OPENWORK – Winner of the Bruce Mackenzie Landscape Award

“Brick is used as a tapestry to weave within the confines and context of the art gallery space. It’s surprising in its context and is a generous public gesture.” – 2019 Jury

House at Otago Bay by Topology Studio – Winner of the Kevin Borland Masonry Award

“This project had a thorough understanding of the constraints and possibilities of masonry. It sits quietly in the landscape, incredibly resolved.” – 2019 Jury

Subiaco House by Vokes and Peters – Winner of the Robin Dods Roof Tile Excellence Award

“Spatially and geometrically nuanced. It showcases the elegance and complex forms of a roof tile when detailed correctly with care.” – 2019 Jury

1 + 2 House by Curious Practice – Winner of the New Entrant Award

“Humble with a beautifully considered composition. This project approaches the basics of construction and is able to find delight and invention in them.” – 2019 Jury

The winners were selected by a jury of six industry experts including:

• Elizabeth McIntyre, Think Brick Australia
• Rachel Nolan, Kennedy Nolan
• Patrick Kennedy, Kennedy Nolan
• Melissa Bright, MAKE architecture
• Billy Kavellaris, KUD
• Andrew Hagemann, Fringe Architects

Now in its 13^th year, The Think Brick Awards gala dinner is a highlight in the architectural events calendar.

thinkbrick.com.au