Media Information

December 8^th2015

NORTHCOT BRICK PROJECT WINS TOP BUILDING AWARD

Northcot Brick's flagship building project, the Whitworth, in Manchester, has won the highest accolade in the 2015 Brick Development Association (BDA) Brick Awards.

As one of the longest established and most widely respected building awards in the UK, the annual BDA Brick Awards recognise excellence in design and construction using brick.

Designed by McInnes Usher McKnight Architects (MUMA),the £15 million redevelopment of the Whitworth, part of The University of Manchester,was the outright winner of the ‘Supreme Award' as well as the ‘Best Public and Education Building'.

The judges praisedthe "extraordinary architectural quality both in its internal and external spatial arrangements, attention to detail and workmanship."

Northcot Brick,a manufacturer known for itsadvanced colour-matching expertise and traditional bench-mould techniques, created a bespoke ‘Whitworth Blend' which reflects the original dark red bricks of the Edwardian building.

Approximately 90,000 smooth machine made bricks made up the solid elements of the expansive north wing and lower ground floor, andtwenty-three different non-standard brick types and special shapes were created from architectural drawings.

The intricate brickwork pattern drew inspiration from the Whitworth's extensive textile collection, in particular the ‘slash and stich' work, which was made from the handmadematching specials.

The BDA Judging panel stated: "This building has tremendous architectural quality and its use of brick as an ornamental narrative device as well as a robust skin is exceptional. The level of finesse in the brick detailing coursing jointing and patterning demonstrates a resurgent craft approach to building that is worthy of celebration across the whole construction industry."

Michael Brown, Managing Director of Northcot Brick said: "We are delighted to be associated with such a prestigious project, which is widely recognised as a masterpiece of modern architecture."

Click onto theBDA award videofor more information about this award-winning project.

For more information about Northcot Brick, download ourlatest brochure, telephone: 01386 700551. Fax: 01386 700852. Email:sales@northcotbrick.co.ukor visit:www.northcotbrick.co.uk

Ends

Northcot Brick Ltd.,is one of the UK's foremost independent machine and handmade brick manufacturers, based in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Founded in 1925, the company produces a wide range of wirecut facing bricks, bench-moulded handmade bricks, reclaim bricks and ‘specials', and has considerable expertise in matching bricks from many areas of the UK.

A thriving modern business, Northcot Brick combines the latest technology with traditional coal firing techniques to create an exciting range of naturally coloured high quality products with an enduring finish and much sought after aesthetic qualities.

The range is quality assured to British and European Standards and is available from leading builders merchants.

For more media information please contact:-

Jane Lomas 
Jane Lomas Public Relations and Marketing 
Tel: 0161 427 8852 
E-mail: JL@janelomas-pr.co.uk 
 www.janelomas-pr.co.uk