Brick Fiesta

Brick Fiesta — IADA 2026 award

Brick Fiesta received Platinum Winner recognition at the International Architecture & Design Awards 2026 in Futuristic & Innovative Concepts. Project status, design team and credits are listed alongside the presentation.

About the project

"Chino-Cuban Weave: Brick Fiesta" is a delightful architectural venture that blends the vibrant cultures of South China and Cuba into a colorful celebration. Drawing inspiration from Anni Albers' textile artistry and the rich traditions of Chinese craftsmanship, this project transforms the solid brick walls of the Chinese embassy into dynamic, soft structures resembling playful embroidery.

Using a palette of five principle colors, each symbolizing different aspects of our shared cultural heritage, we've created a visual spectacle that resonates with the essence of both South China and Cuba. Like threads in a tapestry, these colors intertwine, telling the story of our intertwined history and dreams.

The process of weaving the soft brick wall is more than construction—it's a whimsical journey. It represents the fusion of two worlds, turning rigid structures into fluid, organic forms. Each brick, carefully placed and woven, contributes to a texture that varies naturally, echoing the intricate patterns found in traditional textiles.

As sunlight dances upon the woven walls, casting ever-changing shadows and revealing the depth of colors, the embassy becomes a vibrant celebration of cultural exchange and collaboration.

The size of single brick is 12"*6"*3". Half Scale Structure model shows how brick and steel combine and show their own characteristics. In the elevation view, the inner brick wall slowly emerges, and the combination of different colors distinguishes the outer brick wall from the inner brick wall. Different from the regularity and modularity of brick, we show the beauty and freedom of its formation in the treatment of steel, and at the same time, it has the function of beautiful and stable structure. In order to prevent the crowd from climbing the brick wall, we turned inward at the junction of the brick wall.