Ninety years ago it was decided that the importance of the historic craft of bricklaying should be promoted by the recognition by the Company of the best of brickwork in the inner London area. Recognition took the form of the award of medals – gold to the architect and silver to the foreman bricklayer.

The first of these were awarded in 1935 with the Gold going to Sir Giles Gilbert Scott RA, OM, FRIBA for Battersea Power Station, with the first Silver Medal awarded to Francis Clark. Awards were made annually up to the outbreak of the Second World War and were re-introduced in 1953.

It was not long (1956) before it was decided to make the awards Triennial and to extend the area of cover to that prescribed in the original Ordnances over which the Company held authority – ten miles from Charing Cross. An exceptional award (taking the form of a Bar to his previous Gold Medal) was made in 1961 to the Master, Sir Edward Maufe RA RIBA, for his distinguished work on the design of the brick-built Guildford Cathedral. Six years later it was further agreed that the deliberations should include awards to cover the crafts of Floor and Wall Tiling and Roof Tiling and Slating. In 1986, it was established that the geographical limits for the Triennial Awards should be extended to that area confined by the recently completed M25 Orbital Motorway – a rather larger area. It remains so to this day.

A comprehensive listing of the award winners up to 2014 is included in The History of The Tylers and Bricklayers’ Company – THEY BUILT LONDON – with an update for the subsequent awards included in the Company website. It would be an interesting exercise to establish how many of the award winners are still gracing our city.

The final judging of this year’s awards was carried out by experts drawn from the Craft Committee who sat on a special Judges Committee, chaired by Hilary Satchwell – a very distinguished figure in the world of planning and urban design. The Triennial Awards presentation took place on Tuesday 5th September at Vintners’ Hall. Hilary, an experienced judge of architectural and bricklaying competitions, stressed in her speech that, 

“as these awards were held only every three years they allowed us to pause and reflect on the significant events, changes and challenges our industry has faced over the past few years.. and to consider their impact over a longer period – something that is often overlooked in a world that moves at such a fast pace”.

She emphasised how crucial the skills of the craftsmen working in our sector are to our city and its inhabitants. The experience and expertise required for craftsmen to excel in our trades is important to the fabric of London as a whole.

“Good design and workmanship contribute not only to the functionality of our building but also to the aesthetic, depth and emotional resonance they have with those who live and work in them”

The award citations were read out by the Chairman of the Craft Committee, Ian Wilson (who had master-minded the whole process), and the presentations were made by The Right Honourable Lord Mayor Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli.

The awards went to the winners in the three categories (to Borough Yards, Storey Street SE1 for Brickwork; to Lucent in London W1 for Roof Tiling and Slating; and to The Colonade, College Road, Croydon for Wall and Floor Tiling). A special award was given to Department Store Studios, 19 Bellefield Road SW9 for Sustainability, with a Special Commendation going to The East India Club in St James Square, SW1.

The presentation was followed by a drinks reception and a lunch in the livery hall – a space distinguished by the inscription above the entrance door adjacent the top table noting that: ‘Alderman Sir Henry Pickard (Lord) Mayor in 1356 and Master of this Company in 1363 entertained 5 kings: Edward III – King of England; David – King of Scotland; John – King of France; Waldemar III – King of Denmark; Peter – King of Cyprus’.

After an excellent meal accompanied by a fine selection of the Company’s wines, the Master set out a general history of the Triennial awards and then proposed a toast to our Guests.

Prime among these were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, and Hilary Satchwell the Chairman of the Awards Judging Panel. The Lord Mayor did the Company proud in his response to the toast.

In an elegant and witty speech he echoed the remarks made by the chairman of the judges, expressing his enthusiasm for the standards achieved and his gratitude that the Tylers and Bricklayers did so much to support the improvement of the built environment, not just of the City, but also Greater London.

The Master brought the proceedings to a close with thanks to all who had made it the occasion it had been; including the Craft Committee, the Award sponsors, the caterers and, most importantly, the Learned Clerk.

Full details of the premiated schemes and the sponsors are recorded in a handsome brochure and is available HERE.

David Cole-Adams. Past Master