Preservation Houston, which for years has promoted the restoration of older homes and other structures, is opening nominations for its 2021 Good Brick Awards. Deadline to enter is 3 p.m. Sept. 14, 2020.
Past awards have been given to projects ranging from the restoration of historical art, books and exhibitions about architects, architecture or historical properties, and the restoration or adaptive reuse of homes and commercial buildings. Some are projects that restore a structure to its original look and purpose — or close to it — and some adapt an older building for a new, more contemporary use.
For example, last year’s winners included the team that restored NASA’s Apollo Mission Control center, as well as a team that restored the John Biggers mural at the Blue Triangle Community Center. Jurors recognize those who save small bungalows in the First Ward or Norhill as well as those who tackle much bigger homes in neighborhoods such as Courtlandt Place or River Oaks.
Preservationists who embrace old buildings for new purposes are honored as well, and recent examples involve rehabilitating the former Houston Bar Association Building into the AC Hotel by Marriott or turning a derelict gas station into the quaint Retrospect Coffee Shop in Midtown.
The group also hosts an annual Good Brick Tour — a tour of Good Brick-winning homes and other buildings — but because of the coronavirus pandemic, this fall’s tour will be held virtually.
Nominations are judged on the projects’ impact on the community, the quality and difficulty of the work and the degree to which it serves as an example to the community.
A nomination package must include a completed form, summary of the project in 500 words or less, before and after photos, if applicable, and an administrative fee of $150. Packages must be mailed in; they will not be accepted via email. Download a nomination form at www.preservationhouston.org. For information, call 713-510-3990 or write to db[email protected] or [email protected].