The seventh Wienerberger Brick Award, the competition organised by the well-known multinational and dedicated to the most innovative projects carried out using clay products, went to Austria and Spain (tied). The winning projects were Building 2226 by Austrian architect Dietmar Eberle and Casa 1014 by the Catalan practice Harquitectes.
The two winners, selected from around 600 participants from 55 countries, were presented with the award by Wienerberger CEO Heimo Schuech at the ceremony held on 19 May in the Radiokulturhaus in Vienna. Building 2226 (pictured) in Lustenau, Austria was constructed using a highly innovative approach that avoids the need for ventilation, heating or air conditioning systems. The only source of energy is waste heat emitted by humans, computers and lighting fixtures. This is achieved thanks to a 76 cm brick wall, for which the project was also chosen as the winner of the “Innovative applications” category. Casa 1014, built in the old town centre of the city of Granollers near Barcelona, is an excellent example of how leftover space can be used in urban areas. The structure consists of a very long, narrow building with a width of just 6.5 metres, divided into a private home and a guesthouse, along with terraces and atria. The building stands out in particular for its use of facing brick to create a traditional yet modern atmosphere. The project also won the “Urban redevelopment” category.
The “Residential” category was won by the practice Tropical Space for the Termitary House in Vietnam, while the winner of the “Public works” category was the auditorium in the AZ Groeninge health centre in Belgium by architect Bert Dehullu.
The winner of the “Re-Use” category was the Marília project carried out in São Paulo, Brazil by the practice SuperLimão.
Finally, a Special Award was presented to the Swiss architect duo Duplex for their Cluster House project in Zürich.
