"brick"

Wienerberger’s Hathaway Brindled brick was used to harmonise this grand home's exterior.

Wienerberger's Kempley Antique brick provides heritage and beauty for a stunning home.

Designed by AHR Architects, the new UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton has won numerous awards including the BCO National Awards Corporate Workplace Award and Best of the Best Award 2020 and a Regional RIBA Award, RIBA Sustainability Award and RIBA Client of the year 2019.The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office is the UK’s agency for providing hydrographic and marine geospatial data to mariners and maritime organisations across the world. The UKHO is a trading fund of the Ministry of Defence and is located in Taunton, Somerset with a workforce of approximately 900 staff.We worked with the Architects, Client and Contractors to select one of our exclusive GeoBrick range for this prestigious project. The clean sleek lines and hardwearing stone finish provide a stunning façade to this landmark building. The warm texture of the brick also gives depth and character and softens the mass of the building.“The design principles of the building called for a linear brick which was modern and unique whilst complimenting the landscape and a variety of existing brick buildings surrounding the new HQ. The EH Smith Geobrick brindle bricks stood out from all the rest and we are delighted with the results. Personally, this is my favourite material used on this project!”- Johanna Funnell New Build Project Manager - UKHO

The ChallengeThe Kings Hill development, phase 3, is comprised of 132 new units ranging in scale from two-bedroomed apartments to five bedroomed houses, close to the village of West Malling, in Kent. The wider Kings Hill area is a mixed-use development of over 2,000 homes, commercial and retail space. It is situated on the site of the former RAF Kings Hill airfield, which has been developed over the last 25 years, and is noted for its rich, landscape-led design.The SolutionA more formal, urban design, the scheme provides a departure from earlier phases of Kings Hill by adopting a more contemporary architectural language, albeit one that still fits comfortably within its context.Extensive analysis of the conservation area in the nearby West Malling was undertaken and a contemporary interpretation of the predominantly brick Georgian architecture was proposed, with large windows and crisp minimal detailing, which was lifted and invigorated by extensive brick detailing referencing that found in the local vernacular.The brick chosen to complement the development’s architecture was Cathedral Cream, a buff, stock thrown brick from Forterra’s Ecostock range.The BenefitsThe choice of Cathedral Cream helped to provide a contemporary architectural language that fits comfortably within its context.

A combination of external wall insulation and resin brick slips from Sto has helped create a thermally-efficient and visually striking appearance for a £7.8m residential refurbishment project in London. Located on the Stockwell Park estate, Tyler House now benefits from the use of Sto resin brick slips which have been installed as the final façade finish, onto the company’s StoTherm Mineral K external wall insulation system. The Tyler House building is organised around a central courtyard, and houses 48 flats with one, two, three or four bedrooms. “The buildings underwent a significant amount of refurbishment in order to improve the living conditions of the residents, and providing effective thermal insulation was a key element in that process,” explains Richard Watson of project architects Rock Townsend. “The Sto solution allowed us to provide that insulation. We also wanted to add 13 additional flats and the Sto brick slips gave us the opportunity to create a dramatic new appearance for the existing parts of the building which would contrast with the rooftop extension.” The Sto materials were installed by Sto applicator Regency Plastering of Dartford. “The residents remained in their homes throughout, and there were no problems in installing the external insulation and brick slips whilst they were there,” explains Regency’s Paul Brown. The BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral K insulation system is ideal for refurbishment projects such as Tyler House. Its external installation means that insulation performance can be substantially upgraded without the loss of any living space inside the premises. Comprising mineral-fibre boards which deliver high thermal performance and unrivalled fire protection, the system also incorporates reinforcing layers to provide additional impact resistance. For this project the insulation was installed using StoLevell Uni adhesive and supplementary fixings to create a strong and reliable bond with the substrate. Designed specifically for use with Sto’s external wall insulation systems and StoRend systems, the Sto mineral brick slips used on Tyler House are manufactured from a rugged and durable synthetic render, and combine a realistic simulated brick appearance with reliable, weatherproof properties. They can be used to match the appearance of surrounding buildings without compromising on thermal insulation, or as in this case, to create dramatic and individual facades. For Tyler House they were specified in a white brick slip colour which contrasts with the new, rooftop extension. 

A redevelopment of the old Foyle’s Bookshop on Charing Cross Road, Ilona Rose House comprises 80,000 sq ft of office space, along with retail, restaurants, an art gallery, nightclub and eight apartments. Spread over 13 stories including four below ground and 14,000 sq ft of south-west facing terraces on the upper floors, MATT Architecture’s design for the highly decorative and cantilevered façade includes rose motifs across each floor of the building.For a commercial building that stands out from the crowd in the heart of Soho, IG Masonry Support was able to meet the architect’s brief through the provision of a range of brick slip products to achieve the desired aesthetic finish and Link Building which links Greek Street to the development. IG Masonry Support designed bespoke brick slip systems for each application, providing practical solutions that enabled brickwork contractor Lesterose Builders Ltd to save on installation time significantly.ChallengeTo achieve the architect’s vision and the needs of brickwork contractor Lesterose, the expertise of the IG Masonry Support and its products came into play to fulfil the requirements of this bespoke project.Central Pier on Ilona Rose HouseThe main façade of the commercial building was designed using several shape requirements. The biggest challenge for this area of the project was the arches which required to come from the central pier to the corners of the building and create an optical illusion of closure into the ground.Another challenge on the main building, Ilona Rose House, was the change in brick type. A solution had to be devised to hide the elevation’s movement joint and facilitate the brick change.12-13 Greek Street, Mews ElevationAlthough similar in design to the main Ilona Rose House building, the 12-13 Greek Street Mews Elevation features balconies in its design. This presented a challenge for IG Masonry Support as the structure featured balcony connectors which had the potential to clash with the Welded Masonry Support and Brick on Soffit Systems required for this building.The VaultArguably one of the most attractive areas of the build is the Vault, which creates a passageway from Greek Street to the Mews Area of the development. The architect’s design required a continuous hanging brick effect utilising IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip Panels. The challenge for our design was the sheer size of the soffit area and the curved design. We worked closely with Lesterose to manage the size of the panels, trading weight for ease of installation.SolutionThe team at IG Masonry Support collaborated with the whole project design team to ensure our products met the architectural and structural requirements of the project whilst ensuring maximum buildability for the brickwork contractor.Central Pier on Ilona Rose HouseAs a result of the design team discussions, the B.O.S.S. system pushed the boundaries on this project due to the shape requirements. A quarter circle on the corners of the building and a three-level step down feature was required in the brickwork – a challenging yet bold aesthetic IG Masonry Support was able to bring to life with its Welded Masonry Support (WMS) and B.O.S.S units. The two systems also provided the aesthetic finish required including the three different brick types to give further interest to the façade by the use of colour.12-13 Greek Street, Mews ElevationClose collaboration was required with the whole design team to review the structural drawings of the 12-13 Greek Street Mews Elevation and ensure that our products were designed suitably to fit the requirements of the building. This was solely due to the location of the balcony connectors, a critical structural component, and the shadow gap, an engineered break that was implemented in the building design to accommodate the change in brick type. Our Welded Masonry Support systems were designed to step in and drop down at points to avoid any clashes with the surrounding building components. This allowed our B.O.S.S. to be bolted to each WMS system appropriately, blend seamlessly, and ensure ease of installation for the contractor.The VaultTo enable the floating brickwork feature designed by MATT Architecture, IG designed Brick Slip Panels to suit a stretcher course bond pattern, covering a 40.3m2 area. 57 interlocking Panels, made up of nine designs varying in size and curvature, were designed and manufactured. During the manufacturing process, bricks were collected from site and delivered to our Brick Cutting Facility to be adhesively bonded to each Panel. This ensured each would blend seamlessly with the surrounding brickwork when installed.IG Masonry Support also collaborated with Lesterose on the size and weight of the Brick Slip Panels to ensure an efficient installation process. Each Panel was bolted back to a specially designed rail system manufactured by IG Masonry Support. The rail system was bolted back to the building and a keyhole slot was incorporated to allow the Panel to be lifted and slid on to ensure the weight could be taken as quickly as possible. Once in place, final pointing was required, allowing a seamless blend with the surrounding brickwork.The utilisation of IG Masonry Support’s prefabricated components ensured that all installation was undertaken efficiently, resulting in onsite cost savings and increased productivity.For what is a landmark development in Central London, IG’s solutions have covered all bases, helping to achieve the architect’s vision and ensuring this stunning new building stands the test of time.

Union Court is located in the Clapham area of South West London. It is made up of bright and varied workspaces to rent.Anton Boekhoudt of KEIM Mineral Paints was contacted by GPAD Architects as they were looking to update and change the façade of the building from a plain stock yellow brick colour. The architect wanted to use a breathable coating as a way of changing the appearance. Changes were also to be made to the window details and signage for the building along with new cladding areas. From their conversation an initial site unseen specification was produced.Following a site visit with the architect and Anton, sample trials commenced. Anton initially produced seven samples using KEIM Soldalit and KEIM Restauro Lasur in a selection of colours. Once GPAD Architects reviewed the samples, two further samples were applied on a larger scale. One sample with the mortar joints painted using KEIM Restauro Lasur and the other without. The preferred option was the brick faces painted only.KEIM Restauro Fixativ was applied to all brick faces and mortar joints. A 1:1 ratio mix of KEIM Restauro Lasur, in colour RB001, and KEIM Restauro Fixativ was then applied to the brick faces only. Two decorating companies worked on this project – Restore & Preserve and Chameleon Brickwork, who both used different techniques. Restore & Preserve used a spray technique after masking up all mortar joints, whereas Chameleon Brickwork hand painted each brick face. Both techniques have worked brilliantly, and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.Graeme Winestone of GPAD Architects commented “We are delighted with the service that KEIM offered, including plenty of colour choices and on-site samples that allowed us and the client to make an informed colour choice for the finish of the brickwork.The existing building was given a new lease of life by the use of KEIM Paints, creating a uniform brick colour which complemented the new façade alterations.Frequent site visits provided by KEIM gave us peace of mind with regards to surface preparation and application of the KEIM products producing a very satisfactory end results.”

The ChallengePark View is a residential development of 175 units, including one and two-bedroomed apartments and three, four and five-bedroomed homes. The site sits alongside Saltwell Park, one of Britain’s finest Victorian parks. A conservation area, the design of the site sought to blend tradition with a modern urban feel.The local council required a premium finish for which the choice of brick would play an important part in achieving.The SolutionAfter reviewing several options, Forterra’s Southdown Multi from its Butterley brand range was chosen. It is a high-quality facing brick with a tumbled texture.For some plots on the site, the bricks were laid in an English Garden Wall bond, closely reflecting the brickwork of some of Saltwell Park’s buildings.Alongside modern features, such as rainscreen cladding projections and timber finishes, the development also includes a number of bespoke elements appropriate to the conservation area: reduced window reveals, timber doors and windows coloured in a modern dark grey, natural slate roof tiles, exaggerated roof pitches to accentuate prominent plots and full height feature windows.The BenefitsThe use of Southdown Multi brick has proven to be an effective choice in the successful blending of traditional and modern, ensuring the new development quickly settled within its surrounding environment.

The Challenge Commissioned in north London in 2010, this new-build project within a conservation area needed to be discrete and respectful to fit in with the surrounding environment.The SolutionForterra’s Dark Moroccan Smooth Butterley Brick was used to adhere to the necessary requirements along with a pitched roof and flush and square bay windows.The BenefitsThe post-modernist build respects the immediate environment with regard to both material and form.This build was shortlisted for the 2017 BDA Brick Awards in the Individual Housing Development category.

High quality materials and building techniques have been used throughout the project to promote sustainability and longevity. This has often resulted in traditional materials being used in an unorthodox way to great effect – demonstrating a pioneering element to the architectural design throughout the project. This can be noted in the use of Wienerberger’s Ashington Red Multi bricks and special shaped single cants and single cant return bricks, while the beautifully mixed brown multi Gala Waterstruck pavers add a contrasting visual.

The Craddockstown Housing Development, Naas, Co. Kildare, is one of six sites being developed by John Sisk and Sons using AG facing brick.Woodward Ashbrooke Antique was chosen for the Craddockstown development due to its rumbled finish and subtle tonal range.The detailed product knowledge offered to John Sisks team and backed up by support from our technical and production team made a real difference to the customer.AG’s 60 year guarantee was vital to Sisks and the willingness to develop bespoke colour blends for the project.John Donnellan, AG Regional Sales Manager, said:“We work very closely with Sisks and have supplied a number of their housing developments which are finished to a very high standard. The inclusion of AG Woodward Brick provided Sisks with the textured finish they were looking for, along with the technical performance that Woodward delivers.”John Sisk’s are very pleased with the outcome and are now looking at future projects using Woodward brick.

The ChallengeCalder Gardens is a mixed development of 37 units that includes terraced housing and three storey blocks designed around a central courtyard with clearly defined public and private spaces and integrated parking. It is part of Edinburgh City Council’s 21st Century Homes Small Sites Programme to deliver 40,000 affordable and mid-market houses across the city, on constrained plots within established communitiesIt was fundamental that the proposed development would integrate with, and have a positive impact on, the character of the local neighbourhood.The SolutionThe architectural style is stripped-back and uses a restricted, predominantly brick, palette of materials. The brick selected for the project was Village Harvest Multi, a high quality, light-textured, buff brick.The BenefitsBuilt on a brownfield site within the heart of a well-established community, the choice of materials used in the construction of Calder Gardens has ensured the development has quickly and beautifully integrated with its surrounding environment.

Built by Wates Group for developer MARK and designed by London-based architect SPPARC, Borough Yards’ features a number of transformed and re-purposed railway arches, viaducts and warehouses along with five new buildings, that weave their way from Borough Market to Clink Street. This new shopping and dining district also includes a cinema, art gallery and two new office buildings.IG Masonry Support worked with brickwork contractor Lesterose, designing and supplying a number of complex prefabricated brickwork elements including Welded Masonry Support (WMS), Brick Slip Masonry Support and its renowned B.O.S.S.+ (Brick on Soffit System).ChallengeIn this landmark conservation area, the brickwork for the new buildings needed to compliment the existing brickwork on the repurposed viaducts and warehouses but also present their own unique character.To meet these challenging design requirements, IG Masonry Support manufactured and supplied a range of prefabricated components that met both the wider considerations around planning in this conservation area and at the same time all fire and building regulations.As part of the complex design for building 4, the architect and design team required a bespoke ‘floating’ brick feature presenting a jagged design. The utilisation of IG Masonry Support’s brick slips helped achieve the distinctive angled soffit design, offering a flawless and historic aesthetic in a modern, easy-to-install solution.The distinctive spearheads featuring on building 2 were a separate hurdle but thanks to IG Masonry Support’s close collaboration with the contractors and the architect, it enabled an accurate and sufficient design. Installed over 4 level points of the building, these innovative spearheads, never seen before, were manufactured with glass reinforced concrete, and hand-laid brickwork in-between.Customisable to the architect’s design wishes, the Brick Slip Systems and Masonry Support are prefabricated units manufactured offsite and delivered complete with bricks mechanically-fixed and bonded to them.Due to the type of being brick being used on buildings 2, 3 and 4 being a weaker composition, this necessitated pre-pointing the brick slips in dry, controlled conditions in order to create a high quality, finished surface.SolutionThe bespoke elements for building 4 pushed the boundaries of IG Masonry Support and its products but through technical collaboration the jagged design features were achieved with angled soffits, ensuring a solution that met the architect’s specific requirements.IG Masonry Support exceeded expectations with its Welded Masonry Support system and versatile B.O.S.S.+ (Brick on Soffit System), creating a seamless match with the surrounding brickwork.Able to accommodate loads of up to and exceeding 14kN/m, IG’s Welded Masonry Support (WMS) is a rigid masonry support system comprising a stainless-steel angle support shelf with fixed brackets. It is fabricated to engineers’ specifications on a project basis and offers two planes of adjustability onsite. Offering ease-of-installation, the system can be supplied in a variety of configurations depending on the project’s requirements. At Borough Yards, the WMS was designed, manufactured and supplied by the IG Masonry Support team and installed across building 2 and 4 in order to support the application of the B.O.S.S. system.The B.O.S.S.+ is a lightweight prefabricated system that is faster to install than traditional hanging brick systems. Installed to a pre-fitted Masonry Support System, B.O.S.S.+ allows increased adjustability along three axes. Produced offsite, B.O.S.S. offers 90% time saving onsite and negates the need for mechanical lifting. B.O.S.S.+ also removes the need for brick-cutting onsite, resulting in a quality system that is checked before it arrives onsite. This BBA-certified unit is an ‘A’ Fire Rated, BBA certified and mechanically-fixed unit, suitable for use on residential buildings over 18m above ground level and complies with the Building Regulations 2010* Approved Document B: Fire Safety.Not only is the system versatile, it offers ease-of-installation and enables time-savings onsite. The bespoke solution offers a 70% weight-saving against an equivalent concrete product, negating the need for mechanical handling and onsite labour. These were significant benefits on this mixed-used development in particular.An integral part of the street scene and conservation area, these stunning new buildings sit side-by-side with the historic viaducts and warehouses. The presence of IG Masonry Support’s systems and the company’s technical prowess has ensured this landmark Southwark development is thoughtfully planned, well-built and a sought-after attraction in South London.

The ChallengeThe design of two new This large urban regeneration project in Pennywell, Edinburgh, included 719 new dwellings. It comprised four different brownfield areas with existing communities between them, meaning that linkage with the existing communities is essential.Homes are arranged around a central open space within an area characterised by low density housing.The predominant material in the overall development is brick – chosen for its durable, long-lasting qualities and ability to introduce consistency and identity. Zinc cladding, white brick and render, with key entrances defined by coloured blocks, also feature.The SolutionThe design used a simple palette of materials and approach to detailing, to bring a consistent and clear identity. The focus is on attractive, simple proportions, both in the form of the buildings and in the development of the elevations.Two types of brick were proposed: one a red/brown multitone and the other a light brown/red multitone; to be used in conjunction with grey and dark grey rooftiles. The brick selected was Village Harvest Multi for it was consistent with the design and referenced developments nearby.The BenefitsThe architecture used throughout the development provides quality and variety.The buildings complement each other and create a distinct character and identity. The feature materials add to the rhythms and patterns in the elevations to create variety in the streetscape and mark key corners and frontages.The extensive development is a result of an investment of £42 million by the City of Edinburgh Council and includes £7.9 million grant funding from the Scottish Government.

A new-build student ‘hub’ providing more than 650 rooms to aid a future generation of learners. The structure consists of a steel frame, Siniat Weather Defence Board, EPS and then finished in our BrickPlus: Eco cladding system. The external BrickPlus: Eco façade increased the thermal performance of the building whilst providing a traditional brick finish.We produced a smooth titanium grey engineering brick to create a clean cut modern finish. There are many bespoke sections including over 30+ specific angles of squints.

Utilising the same bricks as were being laid by the bricklayers to the masonry walls, FastClad supplied the cladding to the balconies so that there was a seamless match.Collecting bricks from site to ensure that they were from the same production run, the slips were cut and bonded to our profiled backing board at our Leicester factory.These boards were then returned to site for mechanical fix to the balcony structures and pointed in a lime mortar to match that of the cement mortar being used by the bricklayers at an off-site compound.The balconies were then craned into position and fixed to the structure.

The 18-storey Telereal development now known as The Helm, comprises 159 residential units, 2,800sqft of retail space and 37,000sqft of Grade A office and underground car parking, developed by Watkin Jones and utilising SPSenvirowall’s new and innovative Cavity System 1. The £300,000 façade package utilised a high-performing, buff flexible brick slip (SpeedySlip) and 100-150mm mineral wool to achieve a 0.20 u-value calculation. The application of brick slips to the Cavity System gives the Helm development a traditional and authentic finish desired by the client.

London-based architect, WHAT_Architecture has specified CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPACLAD 101 Logic as the ideal rainscreen cladding system for a new and unusual housing block in Peckham. Crucial to this decision was the system’s ease of installation and its natural aesthetic, which helped the contemporary design to also complement the surrounding and traditional urban landscape. We chose the CUPACLAD 101 Logic as its design layout also reflects that of the brick base, without actually using brick,” said Diana Kulacka, Project Architect from WHAT_Architecture.

For the construction of the Carmelite Monastery in Liverpool, the architects Austin-Smith Lord chose Wienerberger’s Con Mosso brick, due to its soft and textured appearance, which makes it equally suitable for internal as well as external use. On the façade, the appearance subtly changes according to the time of day and weather conditions; the changing shape of the shadows deliberately exudes a sense of calmness and tranquillity. This unique architectural design has captured the imagination of architects across the country indeed as much that it was awarded the Architect’s Choice award at the 2013 Brick Development Awards (BDA).

The stunning state-of-the-art, multi-level, Better New Addington Leisure & Community Centre, designed by GT3 Architects for the London Borough of Croydon features buff brick cladding with 3D- textured detailing thanks to external cladding supplier Aquarian Cladding Systems.The project was part of the Southern Construction Framework and followed a string of work carried out by Willmott Dixon for the Borough. It was also home to the building contractor’s first Building Lives Academy, aimed at upskilling young people in the area and providing them with an opportunity to join the construction industry.Originally, another brick cladding system was specified for use, however due to the complexity of the stepped window frame detailing, the additional cladding support rail cost, the time it would take to install, and a lack of product warranty from the supplier, an alternative cladding system was sought to meet the programme and budget.To resolve the challenge, Aquarian and specialist cladding contractor Express Dry Lining, part of Aquarian’s Approved Installer Network, worked closely together to achieve an acceptable finish to match the specified material, which suited the local vernacular thus meeting the aesthetic, programme, and commercial requirements.Peter Head, Director of Express Dry Lining said: “The design and installation support of Aquarian helped us ensure that all stakeholders were supported throughout the process of material selection, buildability, component production and assembly to achieve a photogenic building free of defects which will last. This is one of those projects to be proud of for a very long time.” In addition, the solution had to be a cladding system that used brick slips which could also be produced as standard bricks to build landscaping planters and achieve a seamless ‘hit-and-miss’ brick feature in the façade. As an innovative, panelised, insulating brick cladding system, which has been successfully tested to BS8414 on five separate occasions and has an EN13501 fire rating of B, s1, d0, Gebrik was perfect, with Aquarian supplying 1126m2 to the project.To achieve the 3D features in accordance with the architect’s design brief, eighteen different panel and corner components were produced, 25% of which were bespoke and therefore project-specific.The expertise of Express Dry Lining in the setting out of the substrate ensured the 60mm thick ‘brick wallpaper’ is consistent across the entire façade with perp joint alignment across both the stretcher and stack bond panels. And their attention to detail in ensuring the system was cleaned down after pointing ensured the façade was completed on time and to everyone’s satisfaction. The finished project was completed six weeks ahead of the revised programme with Gebrik significantly contributing to the speed of construction and reduction in programme, leading to significant cost benefits elsewhere. The London Borough of Croydon is delighted with the quality of the completed building, with Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure, and sport, quoted as saying, “This is a stunning new centre with first-class facilities for everyone in New Addington to enjoy and be proud of.” Peter Head concluded by saying, “It is unlikely any other brick cladding solution could have been used as cost-effectively and efficiently as Gebrik to create a façade of such high quality.”

The addition of three extra stories to a traditionally built structure required a lightweight SIPS frame with FastClad brick slip system external skin, utilising the same bricks as the lower structure, to enable this to be achieved.This award winning project was created to meet the huge demand in London for high-quality, purpose-built Build to Rent apartments. Designed by Newground Architects, Rehearsal Rooms was one of London’s first institutionally backed BTR schemes. FastClad was chosen for it’s weight, ease of installation, fire properties, as well being indistinguishable from the areas of traditionally laid masonry.

Naylor Lintels were supplied to the winning project of the Supreme Award at the Brick Awards 2015 The Whitworth Art Gallery. The judges comments were - Extraordinary architectural quality both in its internal and external spatial arrangements, attention to detail and workmanship. The proportions of the external spaces are immensely effective and give a calmness and richness. The relationship to its surroundings is clear in the historic Whitworth building and its landscape setting, park and new courtyards. This building has tremendous architectural quality and its use of brick as an ornamental narrative device as well as a robust skin is exceptional.

Country Cobble Burren was paired with AG's Lyndhurst Antqie Woodward facing brick at Esmonde Avenue, Ballycarragh Road, Co. Kildare.

Located in Antrim with full site completion expected in 2028/29. Belmont Hall is a well-established development in the area. With easy access to the M2 and situated within close proximity to local schools, leisure facilities and shopping, Belmont is an ideal place to live. This environmentally sensitive development also offers immediate access to a range of parks, walkways and playing fields.The Challenge To create a unique and environmentally conscious housing development that was sympathetic to its natural surroundings. Belmont Hall aimed to establish itself as a relaxed and environmentally conscious development, paying homage to its natural surroundings, particularly the picturesque Six Mile Water River.  The procurement of a diverse range of facing brick in strong vibrant colours was a top priority for Antrim Construction Company . The goal was to offer homes with a range of finishes, fostering a sense of individuality and departure from uniformity.  Another important consideration for this project was budget. When compared to clay brick, Tobermore Facing Brick was far more competitive. In addition to this, the availability of stock ensured prompt delivery to meet tight project timelines.  The SolutionA unique development was achieved by utilising Tobermore Country Stone walling alongside Tobermore Kingston and Lansdowne facing brick ranges. To guarantee that Belmont Hall respected the natural environment that surrounds it, collaborating with a company committed to minimising environmental impact was paramount. Tobermore has consistently upheld responsible manufacturing practices aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of its operations. Comprehensive and reliable environmental performance data is readily available for all Tobermore products. These Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) undergo independent verification to ensure the accuracy of each product’s environmental performance. Antrim Construction Company (ACC) created a distinctive development for the significant 400 house site by incorporating a variety of colours of Tobermore facing brick in both Lansdowne and Kingston ranges, along with Slate Country Stone walling. After considering clay and various concrete alternatives, ACC chose Tobermore due to the quality product and range of colours available. The use of vibrant shades Cottage Red, Golden, Charcoal and Slate amplified individuality in this project through the complementary contrast of colour. Additionally, the utilisation of various finishes of facing brick further enhanced the development’s character. Initially unaware of Tobermore Country Stone, the client expressed interest in incorporating a split stone product into their project. Following an on-site visit and discussions with the Antrim Construction Sales and Marketing department, Tobermore was able to provide a quote alongside a sample panel of products on site. As a result, the company decided to include Country Stone Walling alongside Tobermore Facing Bricks.  Tobermore was able to offer Antrim Construction Company a competitive price point, promise of availability and an unrivalled customer service throughout the project.  

A first-time self-builder from Twickenham used his time on furlough to build a two-bedroom home in his back garden with weberwall brick.Around 11,000 self-build homes are built each year, and Sudheer Talluri is one of less than 10% who actually build the house themselves, without the help of experienced builders.Sudheer had already bought his 1950s former council house and had been living in the property for seven years before he applied for planning permission to build another home in the garden. Despite initial difficulties getting planning consent, he finally got the go-ahead in 2020.After being furloughed from his job as a telecoms engineer in June 2020, Sudheer decided to use this as an opportunity to kickstart the project.“I knew I wanted to build an environmentally-friendly home, so I went to the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon for inspiration,” explains Sudheer. “Having looked at all the options, I decided to use an Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) system. It offers great thermal benefits and can be finished using a brick slip system on the outside which helped me to meet the design requirements outlined in the planning permission.”Sourcing products that could be easily supplied while the country was in lockdown was a challenge in itself. Sudheer needed an external finish that would be in keeping with the existing property on the plot. He contacted Saint-Gobain Weber after learning about how weberwall brick - a brick cladding system which is supplied on mesh sheets - would not only address the planning requirements, but would also help to make the application of the final finish quick and easy.The ICF provided a solid base for weberwall brick, allowing direct application to the substrate using the rapid drying weberwall brick external adhesive, which Sudheer applied by pump to speed-up the installation further.Sudheer’s engineering background, determination, and help from friends, family and neighbours helped him to get the new house built in less than a year. Sudheer and his family have moved into the new house enabling them to rent out their own home. They are so pleased with the final result that they plan to extend into the loft space and add a further single-story extension at the back of the new house in early 2022.

Wienerberger’s Herne Dark Brindled Slimpave helped University of Roehampton project win the prestigious Brick Development Association (BDA) Awards in 2012.

Our Rivius slate roof tiles and appearance roof tiles and Ashington Red Multi brick were specificed for a very impressive project in Hull.

application area: commercialuse type: extraction of cooking gases from kitchenproject scope: line brick extraction shaft to prevent grease build-upadded value: 25-year guarantee on liner, minimal downtime, easily fitted due to flexible materialBackgroundThis Hospital in Portsmouth has a busy commercial kitchen supplying restaurants and residents. Increasing reports of fumes from the greased-up brick extraction ducts have been a concern.A survey of the riser and plantroom was carried out to determine the most suitable solution. VentilFle-25 RKV for kitchen extracts was the preferred option due to the reduced access to the 30-meter brick riser.Statement of workThe shaft had been in use without a kitchen extract liner for the extraction of kitchen gases. This was a concern due to grease build-up, which can result in unpleasant odours within the building.VentilFlex-25 kitchen extract lining system was the chosen alternative lining method, with its jointless design, excellent heat resistance and fire rating, and crucially, an installation method that only required access at the top and the bottom of the riser.

Tobermore supplied Kingston facing brick in the vibrant blended tones of Moorland and Cottage Red for the construction of the homes at this Persimmon Homes site in the charming market town of Epsom in Surrey.

Yoko Ono Lennon Centre is a unique teaching and performance building at the University of Liverpool. It has been designed by Liverpool School of Architecture graduates based at UK architecture practice Ellis Williams.The new facility includes The Tung Auditorium – a world class music performance space – together with two large lecture theatres, seminar rooms, café space, a public facing linear park and a new outdoor space for the University.With a floor area totalling around 6500m2 the building was planned around a careful understanding of the site and an innovative response to a challenging brief.PROJECT INFOThe lecture theatres were arranged vertically, which allowed for a much smaller building footprint – freeing up the site to deliver a linear public park alongside the main arterial route adjacent to the south elevation. This also allowed for large volume and height of Tung Auditorium to be placed adjacent to the teaching spaces, separated by the main atrium circulation space. Externally, the building’s form and materials relate to the robust architecture of some of Liverpool’s historic civic buildings and dockside architecture.The University of Liverpool was the original “red brick University” so the use of that material may seem obvious. The facing brick selected was Forterra’s Butterley Farmstead Antique.The bricks here are more than decorative however, they are a key part of the acoustic strategy and were selected for their density as well the colour and tone.The large inward looking spaces of the theatres by definition are without external windows and openings. The curved forms to the corners are used to both soften the impact of the mass (accentuated by the use of double stacked protruding bricks to catch the sun), and as a nod to the curves used in prominent corner buildings that can be seen across Liverpool.

The ChallengeCarmichael Court is a new development of 14 one and two-bedroomed flats primarily intended for the elderly, and wholly for social rent.The scheme occupies the site of a Victorian villa in the town of Stevenston, Ayrshire. Traces of its former use remain – most notably in the form of a stone wall which extends around the northern and western boundaries of the site.The former War Memorial Institute, a handsome Victorian sandstone building which lies adjacent, has provided design cues for the Carmichael Court scheme.The scale of the surrounding context and the relatively confined nature of the site itself, required that the completed development be a restrained and sympathetic insertion into the existing townscape. The choice of facing brick would be integral to achieving this goal.The SolutionBelgravia Gault Blend by Ecostock was used throughout the scheme.It is a rich grey-buff stock brick that references the blonde sandstone buildings around the site, as well as the existing stone boundary walls.Projecting Flemish bond panels and recessed soldier courses create modelling and depth within the elevations of each block and enhance the overall character of the scheme.The BenefitsWhilst the Carmichael Court development is modest in its scope and conception, it is a carefully considered solution that closely aligns with immediate townscape. Working within the restrictions of a confined site has required greater emphasis to be placed on creating a more low-key and human scaled proposal, focusing on using the space available to create a meaningful and attractive environment.Ecostock is the most sustainable stock brick available in the UK. It is a high quality facing brick with recycled content. The range carries BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing certification.

A prestigious refurbishment contract in Manchester illustrates the appeal of Crittall Steel windows across different sectors. The Redfern building dates from 1936 when it was built for the Co-Operative Wholesale Society. Contractor Russells has upgraded the 60,000sq ft, six storey, brick-clad building originally designed by WA Johnson and JW Cropper and described as being in the Dutch brick modernism style. Crittall W20 windows were specified to replace the original steel fenestration, the new windows boasting frames even more slender than what had been, installed originally, thereby allowing more daylight to enter the offices and new retail units.

The project was part of huge regeneration plans for Thurrock. The new three-storey Civic Centre, designed by LSI Architects, built by Kier Construction (Eastern) and clad by specialist façade contractor A2O Ltd, incorporates a council chamber, café, registrar service, staff offices, committee rooms and service area for the public.LSI Architects selected the MechSlip Brick Cladding System, supplied by Aquarian Cladding Systems, to achieve a non-combustible, through-coloured, textured, real brick façade, which provided sufficient form to ensure a statement building that was not subservient to the surrounding buildings. MechSlip proved vital for the project, which kick-started the Thurrock transformation.

Wienerberger's beautifully textured Hathaway Brindle, a handformatic brick which emulates a traditional handcrafted appearance, was used to great effect as the external façade of the prestigious Druidstone Grange development in South Wales.

The Nursery at Bellingdon was the brainchild of Jim Matthews and influential German architect Gernot Minke. Comprising of a 5m high dome, exterior walls of Strocks, hemp-lime insulationand woodfired brick facing. The whole structure was built on compacted flint foundations and topped with a green roof. Blocks were specially shaped in three sizes to accommodate the change in angle of the dome, one of the qualities of the clay straw mix is its ability to take up most shapes. The dome itself is a big piece of thermal mass as well as part of the load bearing structure of the roof. The outer walls have Strocks to hold the remaining weight of roof which are in turn insulated with hemp-lime blocks with a brick rain screen of the factories wood fired bricks. The whole structure has beautiful clay plaster finishes internally, fair-faced blockwork on the interior of the dome and many factory made ceramic detailed panels. It’s a little gem of a showcase of all that HG Matthews can produce. In addition with a lot of little people running around inside it each day very little is needed to heat the structure which neither overheats or gets cold, storing the heat of the nursery by day and releasing it at night.

This is one of many Persimmon Homes projects in Scotland that Tobermore’s smooth, vibrant Kingston facing brick has been specified for. The aesthetics, technical performance and cost of the product met the developer’s requirements perfectly.