BIA Has Extended the Deadline for the 2016 Brick in Architecture Awards

Words: Dan KamysArchitects and designers in the U.S. now have until May 9 to enter their best projects in the 2016 Brick in Architecture Awards. The Brick Industry Association’s (BIA) annual design competition honors outstanding, innovative and sustainable architecture in 10 categories that incorporate clay brick products as the predominant exterior building or paving material. Entries are conducted entirely online, and the winners will be announced in June. The entries are judged by a jury of peers. Architectural and design firms may enter their best projects completed since January 1, 2011, in which new clay brick products comprise the predominant exterior building or paving material (over 50 percent). These include face or hollow brick, building brick, thin brick, paving brick, glazed brick, structural glazed facing tile, new clay brick products in special shapes and/or a combination of any of these aforementioned units. "The annual Brick in Architecture Awards showcase the best clay brick projects in the country,” said Ray Leonhard, BIA president & CEO. "Architects demonstrate fired clay brick's aesthetic flexibility, and as a material made from abundant natural resources, it's a perfect strategy in sustainable design.” Entries must be submitted online in one or more of the following categories: Commercial, Education – K-12, Education – Colleges & Universities (Higher Education)*, Health Care Facilities, Municipal / Government, Houses of Worship, Residential – Single Family, Residential – Multi-Family, Paving & Landscape Projects, and Renovation (Additions)** / Restoration (Restoring). *Includes residence halls & academic/administrative buildings **Additions must use at least 50 percent new clay brick products on the building. Restoration must include at least 50 percent clay brick products, which must be new brick placed in the wall. For more information, contact Tricia Mauer: tmauer@bia.org. A brief video is also available.
The Science of a Straight Line: Why Masonry’s Smallest Decisions Make the Biggest Differences
September 2026

There is a unique phenomenon in construction: the human eye can spot an out-of-plumb wall from 50 yards away across a crowded job site. We might not always be able to explain the exact mathematical deviation without a laser level, but our brains instantly

Shayne Sanders
Technical Talks
Read More
The Utah Masonry Council's Masonry Education Day
September 2026

The 2026 Masonry Education Day at Interstate Brick in West Jordan is bringing together members of Utah’s architecture, engineering, and construction community for a day focused on education, technical understanding, and workforce development. The event r

Cassie Mejia
Industry News
Read More
MCAA Upstate New York: Regaining Market Share Through Education
September 2026

The Upstate New York chapter of the MCAA was established in 2014 by a dedicated group of both union and non-union masonry contractors, producers, and suppliers who shared concerns about the declining use of masonry. T

Brett Sherman
Resources
Read More
GEN NXT: Luis Sontay
September 2026

For this month, the MCAA got to sit down with aspiring mason Luis Sontay. From taking an interest in masonry as a kid to placing 1st in a postsecondary competition, Luis’ dedication and passion for the trade is clear. Luis describes his early passion fo

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
Read More