The 2011 Brick in Architecture Awards honor the highest level of brick design excellence, representing style and sustainability spanning all building sectors. Awarded by the Brick Industry Association (BIA), six of the eight Best in Class winners achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold or Silver certification, including the first LEED Gold-certified project in Tennessee.

Winners say they chose brick due to its quality, long-term durability, environmental friendliness, aesthetics, low maintenance, increased seismic safetyand thermal mass. They were also drawn to brick because of the design flexibility it offers through color, texture, rhythm, human scale, pattern and repetition. Award-winning projects came from 25 states this year, reflecting the national reach and stature of this program.

“This year’s winning projects showed a growing trend toward brick as the main element in sustainable design that delivers aesthetic flexibility that matches the architect’s imagination and desires,” said Gregg Borchelt, P.E, president and CEO of the BIA.

Judges included Eugenia Brieva, QPK Design, Syracuse, N.Y.; Bobby Eichholz, Rialto Studio Inc., San Antonia, Texas; Walter Jennings, Maurice Jennings Architect, Fayetteville, Ark.; and Paul Matheny, Matheny Goldmon Architects, AIA, Huntsville, Ala.

Best in Class Award Winners:
Commercial – Montana State Fund, Helena, Mt.
Manufacturer: I-XL Industries Ltd.

Educational – Terasaki Life Sciences Building, UCLA, Los Angeles, Calif.

Health Care – Methodist Le Bonheur Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, Germantown, Tenn.
Distributor: Acme Brick Co.

Houses of Worship – Sykes Chapel Center for Faith and Values, Tampa, Fla.
Manufacturer: Hanson Brick

Municipal/Government – Village of Wheeling Fire Station 24, Wheeling, Ill.
Manufacturer: Glen-Gery Corp.
Distributor: Illinois Brick Co.

Paving & Landscape Architecture – PNC Triangle Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Manufacturer: Whitacre-Greer Co.

Residential – Multi-Family – The Veridian, Silver Spring, Md.
Manufacturer: Taylor Clay Products Co., The Belden Brick Co.
Distributor: Potomac Valley Brick & Supply Co.

Residential – Single Family – Pierce/Lee House, Cedartown, Ga.
Manufacturer: General Shale Brick Inc.
Distributor: North Georgia Brick Co. Inc.

For more information and a complete list of winners, visit www.gobrick.com/2011Awards.