This expansion of an existing structure into a furniture design studio and showroom aims to unify and express a variety of spatial qualities—to make and house furniture, address daylighting and energy performance considerations for a south-facing facade, and build upon Chicago’s historical pattern of common brick structures with face-brick fronts. To expand the volume, common brick-bearing walls were extended vertically and due to the proximity of the property line no openings were allowed in these walls. As a result, access to light was limited to the street and yard facing edges of the building. Taking cues from Chicago’s historical pattern of face-brick fronts and common brick sides, terra-cotta colored paver bricks were employed as a brick screen on the street. This creates a distinct and contextual facade that filters natural light thereby reducing the cooling load from the direct southern exposure.

LOCATION
Chicago, IL

AWARD CATEGORY
Thin Brick

ARCHITECT
Range Design & Architecture

BRICK MANUFACTURER 
Interstate Brick

BRICK DISTRIBUTOR
Bricks Incorporated

MASON CONTRACTOR
E.nZ. Masonry Inc

LOCATION:
New York, New York

AWARD CATEGORY:
Residential Multi-Family

ARCHITECT:
Handel Architects

BRICK MANUFACTURER:
Interstate Brick 

BRICK DISTRIBUTOR:
Belden Tri-State Building Materials, Kings Materials

MASON CONTRACTOR:
SNG Brick LLC

LOCATION:
Brooklyn, New York

AWARD CATEGORY:
Residential Multi-Family

ARCHITECT:
Grid Group

BRICK MANUFACTURER:
Interstate Brick 

BRICK DISTRIBUTOR:
Belden Tri-State Building Materials

MASON CONTRACTOR:
King Contracting Group NYC Inc.

LOCATION:
Cambridge, MA

AWARD CATEGORY: 
Commercial

ARCHITECT:
Merge Architects

BRICK MANUFACTURER 
Interstate Brick

BRICK DISTRIBUTOR: 
Consolidated Brick

MASON CONTRACTOR: 
J. A. J. Co., Inc.