To mark a half-century of architectural excellence, the Brick Development Association (BDA) has launched ‘The Future of Brick’, a national design competition inviting architects, students, and multidisciplinary teams to rethink the possibilities of clay brick.
Entrants are tasked to look ahead to 2075 and design a visionary building that repositions clay brick as a high-performance material capable of responding to the complex environmental and urban challenges of the future.
The Challenge
With the skyline of 2075 in mind, participants are encouraged to push boundaries and explore how clay brick can drive innovation across four key areas:
- Circular Design – creating buildings designed for disassembly, reuse, and zero waste
- Climate Performance – leveraging durability and thermal mass for resilient, energy-efficient design
- Future Cities – adapting clay brick for density, verticality, and modern urban living
- Low-Carbon Innovation – exploring new approaches to manufacturing, construction, and integration
A Celebration of Excellence: The 50th Brick Awards
This competition forms a central part of the 50th Brick Awards, the industry’s leading platform for recognising excellence in brick architecture.
The winning entry will be celebrated at the landmark anniversary ceremony on 4th November 2026 at the Royal Lancaster London, receiving two VIP tickets to join leading architects, clients, and industry figures at this prestigious event.
In addition to the ceremony, shortlisted entries will gain national exposure through a dedicated digital showcase, positioning participants at the forefront of architectural innovation.
Competition Details
- Brief: Design a forward-thinking building for 2075 using clay brick as a high-performance material
- Submission: Two A1 landscape boards and a 500-word design statement
- Eligibility: Open to UK-based architects, students, and design teams
- Entry: Free
- Deadline: 2nd October 2026
Shaping the Future of Brick
Rob Flello, CEO commented “As we celebrate 50 years of the Brick Awards, we’re not just reflecting on the past, we’re challenging architects to define what comes next. This competition is about unlocking the full potential of clay brick in shaping a more sustainable, resilient and inspiring built environment.”
Be part of the next 50 years of architectural history. View the full brief and submit your entry by visiting: https://www.brick.org.uk/future-of-brick
