Published 16/06/26
BRICK AWARD 26: Inspiring resilient design for the future of architecture
From material innovation to social impact, BRICK AWARD 26 has once again demonstrated why brick remains one of the most relevant and expressive materials in contemporary architecture.
Held in Vienna and hosted by wienerberger, the biennial event brought together leading architects from across the globe, not only to celebrate outstanding projects, but to exchange ideas on how architecture can respond to some of today’s most pressing challenges, from climate resilience to inclusive urbanisation.
Celebrating global excellence in brick architecture
Since 2004, the BRICK AWARD has provided a platform for architects to showcase innovative uses of brick and ceramic materials.
The 2026 winners highlight the versatility of brick across typologies, climates and cultures, spanning five categories, alongside a Grand Prize and a new Special Prize.
A Grand Prize rooted in culture and circularity
Taking the top honour, the Đạo Mẫu Temple and Museum in Soc Son, Vietnam, designed by ARB Architects, exemplifies how architecture can connect place, memory and community.
The project’s use of around six million reclaimed clay tiles, sourced from local homes, demonstrates a strong model of circular design, and delivers a carbon-negative outcome.
For architects, the message is clear: material reuse and cultural narrative can be integral to delivering both sustainability and meaning in design.
Lessons across scales and sector
The strength of BRICK AWARD 26 lies in the breadth of its winning projects, offering insights for practice across the UK built environment.
- Housing innovation:
The Social Atrium project in Barcelona reimagines multi-residential living, using a bioclimatic indoor space to improve comfort, ventilation and community cohesion.
- Context-driven residential design:
Ca na Birgit in Mallorca shows how thoughtful brick design can balance privacy, climate response and views through simple yet effective spatial gestures.
- Commercial architecture grounded in landscape:
In Mexico, the La Hacienda Jalisco development uses local materials and forms to blur the line between building and terrain.
- Experimental and educational approaches:
The Endless Brick Playground highlights the role of hands-on experimentation in pushing the boundaries of masonry design.
- Community-led regeneration:
The Special Prize-winning housing scheme in Kortrijk demonstrates how reclaimed materials and urban infill can strengthen social and environmental connections.
Together, these projects reinforce brick’s ability to respond to multiple priorities - performance, aesthetics, sustainability and social value.
Click here to discover more about the BRICK AWARD winning projects here.
From awards to ideas: the Architecture Symposium
Beyond the ceremony, the BRICK AWARD Architecture Symposium provided a platform for deeper discussion, focused on the theme: “Cities of the Future: Transforming for a Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Tomorrow.”
With cities responsible for more than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the role of architects in shaping sustainable urban environments has never been more critical.
Key themes emerging from the symposium included:
1. Building with place
Architects emphasised the importance of designing in dialogue with local culture, climate and landscape, rather than imposing universal solutions.
2. Material intelligence
From site-sourced materials to traditional craftsmanship, discussions reinforced how materials like brick can act as carriers of memory, identity and environmental performance.
3. Adaptive reuse and circularity
Speakers highlighted the value of reworking existing structures and materials, supporting more resource-efficient approaches to urban development.
4. Social and environmental resilience
Projects and debates underscored the need for inclusive, community-focused design, alongside strategies that support climate adaptation and biodiversity.
What this means for UK architects
While the projects span continents, the underlying themes resonate strongly with the UK market:
- A growing focus on sustainable construction and embodied carbon reduction
- Increased demand for context-sensitive and place-based design
- Greater pressure to deliver high-quality, affordable housing at scale
- Stronger emphasis on community and social value outcomes
The BRICK AWARD 26 demonstrates that brick remains central to addressing these challenges, offering durability, thermal performance and architectural flexibility.
A material for what’s next
As Heimo Scheuch, CEO of wienerberger, reflected, the winning projects show how brick and ceramic materials continue to evolve - addressing climate challenges while creating architecture that inspires and endures.
From experimental student builds to landmark public spaces, BRICK AWARD 26 reinforces a clear message: the future of architecture will be shaped not just by new technologies, but by how intelligently we use the materials we already know.
“wienerberger is proud to once again be providing a forum for the world’s leading innovators to connect with their peers and further best practice in global architecture. The urgency of this debater and the insights it brings are vital, not only for our industry but for the entire built world.” - Heimo Scheuch, CEO, wienerberger
