The shortlist for the Think Brick Awards has been announced, celebrating excellence in the use of clay brick, concrete masonry and roof tiles by Australia’s best architects and designers.

This year marks the Think Brick Awards 14th year recognising the important contributions that architects, builders, bricklayers, block layers and manufacturers make to the process of creating outstanding residential and commercial projects.

“Every year finalists of this category continue to highlight the unlimited possibilities of the humble brick,” says Elizabeth McIntyre, Think Brick CEO.

“We look forward to seeing how your projects have transcended their clay beginnings to become inspired creations.”

This year, the entries were considered by a jury comprising renowned architects and experts, including: Amy Muir (director, Muir Architecture), Adrian Spence (co-founder, Richards and Spence), Asher Galvin (practice director, BVN), Geoff Warn (founding partner, With Architecture Studio), Sue Barnsley (principal, Sue Barnsley Design), Elizabeth McIntyre (group CEO, Think Brick Australia, Concrete Masonry Association of Australia, Australian Roofing Tile Association).

Awards are granted across six categories all with a $10,000 cash prize:

Horbury Hunt Commercial Award: includes built projects that exemplify outstanding craftsmanship and innovation through the use of clay face bricks and pavers. The shortlist includes:

• Belgravia – MHN Design Union 
  • Manufacturer: Austral Bricks
  • Product used: Austral Bricks – La Paloma – Miro; Burlesque – Indulgent White.

• Darling Square North – Tzannes  
  • Manufacturer: Bowral Bricks | Austral Bricks
  • Product used: Bowral Bricks – Bowral Dry Pressed – Bowral Bluel; Renovation – Gertrudis Brown (Matt & Polished) | Austral Bricks – Burlesque – Indulgent White (Glazed)

• Midland Campus, Curtin University – Lyons / Silver Thomas Henley
  • Manufacturer: Austral Bricks
  • Products used: Austral Bricks – ‘Curtin Custom Blend’  

• Phoenix Central Park – John Wardle Architects / Durbach Block Jaggers  
  • Manufacturers: Krause Bricks
  • Products used: Krause Bricks – Bespoke – Made to order

• West End – TURNER 
  • Manufacturer: Bowral Bricks
  • Products used: Bowral Bricks – Dry Pressed – Simmental Silver, Brahman Granite & Charming Black

Horbury Hunt Residential Award: includes residential built projects that exemplify outstanding craftsmanship and innovation through the use of clay face bricks and pavers. The shortlist includes:

• Casuarina House – Vokes and Peters  
  • Manufacturer: Bowral Bricks
  • Products used: Bowral Bricks – Bowral Dry Pressed – Chillingham White

• Garden Wall House – Studio Bright 
  • Manufacturer: PGH Bricks & Pavers
  • Products used: PGH Bricks & Pavers – Dry Pressed Architectural – Mowbray Blue

• Henley Clays – Benn + Penna Architecture 
  • Manufacturer: Bowral Bricks
  • Products used: Bowral Bricks – Bowral 50 – Simmental Silver

• Ruckers Hill House – Studio Bright 
  • Manufacturer: LOHAS
  • Products used: LOHAS – Nilo – Rustic Finish

• Tjuringa House – Jesse Bennett Studio 
  • Manufacturer: PGH Bricks & Pavers
  • Products used: PGH Bricks & Pavers – Smooth – Black and Tan & Copper Glow

Kevin Borland Masonry Award: recognises projects that highlight the design potential of concrete masonry in commercial and residential built architecture.

Bruce Mackenzie Landscape Award: highlights the unlimited possibilities of clay brick/pavers and concrete pavers to enhance the quality of the built environment or public domain.

Robin Dods Roof Tile Excellence Award: showcases the sustainability benefits, versatility and design possibilities of terracotta roof tiles.

New Entrants Award: for those architects who have never entered in the awards before.

Check out the full list of shortlisted projects here.

Think Brick Australia represents Australia’s clay brick and paver manufacturers.

Lead photo: Phoenix Central Park by Durbach Block Jaggers. Photo by: Trevor Mein