Western Australian practice CODA is the winner of the 2009 Think Brick Awards. Entrants this year were called to address socially responsive architecture using brick.

CODA’s winning design aims to address the growing need for affordable housing and supported hostel accommodation in the Mandurah region, near Perth, Western Australia. This is the fastest growing region in Australia, where problems with geographic limitations to housing availability are compounded by limited employment opportunities.

Kieran Wong from CODA says, “Brick inspired us to create a connected community on that particular site. We were very interested in how social housing might be pivotal in forming a neighbourhood centre.”

The winning design was awarded prize money of $20,000.