Last year we not only had record entries and attendance at the Grosvenor House but also, more importantly, a perceptible increase in the quality of the buildings.

However it is essential for any organisation to review its activities and the Promotional Steering Group, under the chairmanship of Andrew Halstead-Smith, has been asked to assemble a panel from across the industry to consider the development of the Awards scheme. This is a key task in ensuring that we build for the future by analysing the lessons of recent experience.

The viewpoint piece on page 11 by Mike Taylor of Hopkins Architects makes a strong argument for brick as a material for the 21st century. The government has produced a list of 鈥渕odern methods of construction鈥� that excludes brick. This discourages the use of the material because in certain cases funding is only available if 鈥渕odern methods鈥� are used. Although the list is currently being challenged, nevertheless this incident is a timely reminder that there is a growing body of opinion that believes that all our problems of housing supply will be solved by relying on innovative factory-based solutions. The qualities that Mike Taylor highlights are timeless and it is these that we must put before government at every opportunity.

Michael Driver, director, Brick Development Association

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Brick Bulletin January 2005