Study Architecture 
ProPEL Architectural Faculty To Teach Courses on Innovative Uses of Brick as a Building Material
For Immediate Release:
Washington, D.C., February 19, 2025 — The Brick Industry Association (BIA) and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) are pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Brick in Architectural Education Prize.
The Brick in Architectural Education Prize recognizes effective, innovative proposals and curricula that create a stimulating environment for learning about brick. The winning course proposals will equip students with the knowledge and design skills to achieve sustainable design goals in a range of project types. These courses will be taught at ACSA member schools across the world in the coming years.
The jury included: Ahmed K. Ali from Texas A&M University, Chip Clark from the Brick Industry Association, and Lisa Huang from the University of Florida. The jury selected three winners who will receive a cash prize along with travel support for the course, students to visit a manufacturing facility, and/or guest speakers for the class.
The winners are:
BRICKLAYING IN AUGMENTED REALITY (B.AR)
Orsolya Gaspar, Pennsylvania State University
The course explores the theory, history, and best practices of fired brick masonry construction. High-level theoretical understanding is reinforced through hands-on exercises and seminar-style discussions. The course culminates in a collaborative design-build pavilion project, where participants utilize Augmented Reality (AR) to explore and showcase its potential in brick masonry construction.
WHEN THE WALLS COME TUMBLIN’ DOWN: Masonry Material Recovery Strategies for The Circular Economy
Dillon Pranger, Illinois Institute of Technology
Building deconstruction is poised to revolutionize the construction industry. A growing number of deconstruction policies are being put in place to support this effort, however, when it comes to implementation, knowledge gaps surrounding cost, labor force training, application, and assembly methods often deter industry professionals from considering reclaimed materials as a viable building source. With over 70% of the built environment relying on masonry construction, this studio is focused on developing novel approaches to the reclamation of demolished and deconstructed masonry elements, specifically brick.
BUILDING HEALTH: Resilient Building Materials for Global Health & Sustainability
Liz McCormick, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
This course challenges conventional architectural thinking by positioning bricks—not as static building components, but as catalysts for innovation in global health and sustainability. Rather than focusing on a single prototype, the course aims to cultivate a generation of architects and engineers who recognize the transformative potential of humble materials in addressing urgent global challenges. By exploring how simple modifications to brick geometry and composition can enhance thermal comfort, air movement, and mosquito deterrence, students will develop a new framework for integrating architecture, material science, and public health.
About the Brick Industry Association (BIA)
The Brick Industry Association (BIA) is the national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of clay brick and suppliers of related products and services. Since its founding in 1934, the association has been the nationally recognized authority on clay brick construction.
BIA provides a broad range of programs and services that fulfill its mission of promoting and safeguarding the clay brick industry. BIA promotes the industry through education programs like online training classes; market research including production, shipment and other data; publications such as Technical Notes on Brick Construction, Brick in Architecture and Builder Notes; and promotional programs such as public relations, advertising and a national architectural awards competition. BIA safeguards the industry through comprehensive advocacy and compliance efforts at the federal and state levels; representation in all model building code forums and national standards committees; and local advocacy programs that educate local planning and elected officials about clay brick
For more information, www.gobrick.com.
About ACSA
The mission of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) is to lead architectural education and research. Founded in 1912 by 10 charter members, ACSA is an international association of architecture schools preparing future architects, designers, and change agents. Our full members include all of the accredited professional degree programs in the United States and Canada, as well as international schools and two-and four-year programs. Together ACSA schools represent some 7,000 faculty educating more than 40,000 students.
ACSA seeks to empower faculty and schools to educate increasingly diverse students, expand disciplinary impacts, and create knowledge for the advancement of architecture.
Questions
Hanifah Jones
Digital Marketing and Communications Manager
202-785-2324
hjones@acsa-arch.org
