Brick in Architecture Awards 2026
Competition Brief
The Brick in Architecture Awards 2026 is the annual international architecture recognition programme organised by the Brick Industry Association (BIA), headquartered in Reston, Virginia, USA. First established in 1989, the awards are now in their 37th year and represent one of the longest-running material-focused architecture award programmes in North America. The competition is open to architects and design professionals worldwide and recognises outstanding completed projects that demonstrate innovative, creative, and sustainable use of clay brick. The submission deadline is 25 September 2026. Winning projects will be celebrated at the Brick Excellence Gala on 8 April 2027 at the Omni Nashville, during the National Clay Brick Expo 2027.
Intent
The awards celebrate the most innovative and sustainable applications of clay brick in contemporary architecture. The programme positions brick not only as a traditional building material but as a vehicle for creative expression, structural innovation, and environmental performance. The International category in particular invites global participation and has recognised projects from across the world in recent editions, including winners from Canada, Colombia, the United Kingdom, and China. The additional Craftsmanship Award specifically recognises individual masons or masonry teams who install brick in an artful or unique way, distinguishing craft-based recognition from design-based recognition.
Purpose
Winning and shortlisted projects are published in the Brick in Architecture magazine insert, which is distributed within the official publication of AIA Architect magazine, providing visibility across the American Institute of Architects’ professional readership. The awards have published annual editions continuously for over 70 years, building a publicly accessible archive of outstanding brick architecture across North American and international practice. Winners are honoured at a live gala event attended by architects and designers from across the country.
Categories
The competition accepts entries across nine categories: Thin Brick; International; Residential Single Family; Commercial; Residential Multi-Family; Education (Colleges and Universities); Education (K-12); Paving and Landscaping; and Historic Renovation. One additional Craftsmanship Award is presented recognising an individual mason or team of masons for skillful and artful installation. Each category produces Best in Class, Gold, Silver, and Bronze award levels.
Jury
The jury composition for the 2026 edition has not been published at the time of writing. Based on previous editions, the jury is drawn from licensed architects and design professionals with expertise in masonry, materials, and architectural design. Full jury details will be published on the competition website at gobrick.com as the submission deadline approaches.
Registration Fees
| Entry Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| All participants | Not published — confirm at gobrick.com/inspiration/brick-in-architecture-awards |
Entry fees for the 2026 edition are not published on the competition page at the time of writing. The Rules and Regulations PDF available at gobrick.com contains full fee details. Download the 2026 rules and regulations at the link provided on the competition page before registering.
Prizes and Rewards
| Award Level | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best in Class (1 per category) | Highest category recognition + publication in Brick in Architecture magazine insert (distributed in AIA Architect) + recognition at Brick Excellence Gala, 8 April 2027, Omni Nashville |
| Gold | Recognition + publication + Gala attendance |
| Silver | Recognition + publication + Gala attendance |
| Bronze | Recognition + publication + Gala attendance |
| Craftsmanship Award (1 overall) | Recognition for individual mason or masonry team + publication + Gala attendance |
There are no cash prizes. All prizes are recognition and publication based. The primary benefit is publication in the Brick in Architecture insert distributed within AIA Architect magazine, which reaches the professional membership of the American Institute of Architects.
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Submissions open | Now open |
| Submission deadline | 25 September 2026 |
| Brick Excellence Gala (winners announced) | 8 April 2027, Omni Nashville |
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
The Brick in Architecture Awards is one of the most institutionally credible material-focused recognition programmes in North America, backed by the BIA and distributed through AIA Architect magazine for over 70 consecutive years. Its nine-category structure is well-suited to the breadth of contemporary brick practice, and the International category provides genuine global reach demonstrated by past winners from the UK, Canada, Colombia, and China. The Craftsmanship Award is an uncommon and valuable addition that recognises mason skill alongside design authorship. Entry fees are not published on the website, which is a transparency limitation that should be resolved before submitting. There are no cash prizes. For architects working with clay brick as a primary material, this is the most credible and widely circulated specialist award available in the American market.
Final Thoughts
The Brick in Architecture Awards 2026 is a 37-year-old institutionally backed American awards programme for clay brick architecture across nine categories including an International track. Submissions close 25 September 2026. Download the full rules and regulations and submit at gobrick.com/inspiration/brick-in-architecture-awards. Winners celebrated at the Brick Excellence Gala, 8 April 2027, Nashville.
Registration Deadline
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