June 15, 2026 June 15, 2026 Home » Competitions » Brick in Architecture Awards 2026 A brief about the Brick in Architecture Awards 2026, an annual international architectural recognition program organized by the Brick Industry Association (BIA) based in Reston, Virginia, USA. Established in 1989 and now in its thirty-seventh year, it represents one of the longest-standing material-based architecture awards programs in North America. The competition is open to architects and design professionals worldwide, recognizing outstanding completed projects that embody innovative, creative, and sustainable uses of clay brick. The submission deadline is September 25, 2026. Winning projects will be celebrated at the Brick Excellence Gala on April 8, 2027, at the Omni Nashville Hotel during the National Clay Brick Expo 2027.
The awards honor the most innovative and sustainable applications of clay brick in contemporary architecture. The program positions brick not just as a traditional building material, but as a medium for creative expression, structural innovation, and environmental performance. The international category attracts global participation, having seen previous winners from Canada, Colombia, the United Kingdom, and China. The Craftsmanship Award specifically honors skilled workers or building teams who set brick in an artistic or unique manner, distinguishing between craftsmanship and design recognition.
Winning and shortlisted projects are published in the Brick in Architecture magazine supplement distributed with the official publication of AIA Architect, providing broad exposure to the professional membership of the American Institute of Architects. The awards have published annual editions for over 70 years, creating a publicly accessible archive of distinguished brick architecture. Winners are honored at an in-person gala gathering architects and designers from across the country.
The competition accepts entries across nine categories: Thin Brick; International; Single Family; Commercial; Multi-Family; Education (Universities and Colleges); Education (K-12); Paving and Landscaping; and Heritage Renovation. One additional Craftsmanship Award is given to an individual or team of builders. Each category produces levels: Best in Class, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
The judging panel for the 2026 cycle has not yet been announced. Based on past cycles, the panel is drawn from licensed architects and design professionals with expertise in brick construction and materials and architectural design. Full details will be published on gobrick.com as the submission deadline approaches.
Entry fees for the 2026 cycle are not published on the competition page. A PDF file of the rules and regulations available on gobrick.com contains full fee details. It is advisable to download it before registration.
There are no cash prizes. All awards are based on recognition and publication. The primary benefit is publication in the Brick in Architecture supplement distributed with AIA Architect, reaching professional members of the American Institute of Architects.
The Brick in Architecture Awards are one of the most credible institutional material-based recognition programs in North America, supported by the BIA and distributed via AIA Architect for over 70 continuous years. Its tiered category structure is well-suited to the breadth of contemporary brick practice, and the international category provides a true global reach, evidenced by previous winners from the United Kingdom, Canada, Colombia, and China. The Craftsmanship Award, an unusual and valuable addition, acknowledges the skill of the builder alongside design authorship. Entry fees are not published on the website and are a limitation in transparency that should be resolved before submission. There are no cash prizes. For architects working with clay brick as a primary material, this is the most credible and widely recognized specialized award in the American market.
The Brick in Architecture Awards 2026 is an American award program with a 37-year institutional foundation for clay brick architecture across nine categories, including an international track. The submission deadline is September 25, 2026. Download rules and submission at gobrick.com/inspiration/brick-in-architecture-awards. Winners will be honored at the Brick Excellence Gala on April 8, 2027, in Nashville.
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