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Potomac Valley Brick Celebrates the Winners of “Brick-Stainable”

Words: Natalie Fitzsimmons
/Public/News/20100309080900-1.jpg" width="530" height="298" border="0" alt="Four Houses for Dignataries and Their Families: The houses occupy the corners of the proposal, where the view gives entirely to the forest, in addition to the private patio, achieving dual orientation for correct natural illumination and ventilation.">
Four Houses for Dignataries and Their Families: The houses occupy the corners of the proposal, where the view gives entirely to the forest, in addition to the private patio, achieving dual orientation for correct natural illumination and ventilation.

Hoping to unearth innovative ideas to showcase brick in sustainable new design uses, Potomac Valley Brick (PVB) launched its first international sustainable architectural design competition. With an overwhelming response, 95 entries from 17 countries around the world were submitted.

On January 27, 2010, all of the 2009 competition winners traveled to the National Building Museum in DC as a part of their prize package. “We were honored to celebrate with all of the winners. Ten guests from our six winning teams traveled from the US, Cyprus, Mexico and Qatar. It truly was a special evening for Potomac Valley Brick,” Alan Richardson, President of Potomac Valley Brick.

Sustainability leader and founder of Terrapin Bright Green, Bill Browning, delivered the keynote. “I could see everybody in the audience doing some serious thinking while the presentations were going it. It was very informative and thought provoking. I’m so glad I was there,” Don Gallagher of United Masonry.

With approximately 170 guests in attendance, all members of the PVB competition committee were thrilled with the feedback they received from the event. “I have not attended a meeting in my entire brick career that was as interesting, motivating and inspiring,” Jeff Broome of Hanson Brick. “It goes without saying that last night’s Brick-Stainable banquet was one of the top three events in my 33 yr. career in the brick industry,” Joe Edwards of Lawrenceville Brick.

/Public/News/20100309080900-2.jpg" width="530" height="298" border="0" alt="Eight Suites for Diplomats: The suites have dual orientation for correct natural illumination and ventilation, at one side each unit has a private patio, and at the other side, a swath of forest that seems infinite.">
Eight Suites for Diplomats: The suites have dual orientation for correct natural illumination and ventilation, at one side each unit has a private patio, and at the other side, a swath of forest that seems infinite.

Guest speaker, Shar Taylor, Vice President for Development at the National Building Museum delivered a very warm welcome at the celebration. “We are here tonight in a 15 million-brick building, which is one of the most magnificent masonry structures in the world. The use of brick, with its versatility and durability, makes this building not only beautiful, but energy efficient and a model of sustainable construction. And at 123 years of age, this building is truly Brick-Stainable! Your awards this evening complement the Museum’s commitment to advancing innovation in the use of traditional building materials.”

Sponsors, industry professionals, sustainability consultants, contractors, architects, and the winners are all asking, “What’s next?” and “Where where can we see the winning designs and photos from the ceremony?” Everyone is looking for more involvement with Brick-Stainable and future competitions.

Potomac Valley Brick is currently mining the data collected and de-briefing all parties involved in their successful, first year design competition. Information will be posted at www.brick-stainable.com. The winning entries were on display in the Pension Commissioner’s Suite at the National Building Museum until March 8, 2010.

For additional information visit www.brick-stainable.com, or follow the competition on Twitter @PVBrick.
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