"blocks and bricks"

Brick manufacturer Vandersanden, recognised for its innovation, sustainability and craftsmanship, now offers a 25-year guarantee against gypsum efflorescence on its facing bricks and brick slips, ensuring long-lasting, sustainably attractive facades. Vandersanden was the first company to develop a viable, large scale coating solution to their brick range, to provide superior protection against gypsum efflorescence as well as secondary protection against the effects of pollution. This innovative and environmentally sustainable process is available across a range of Vandersanden’s portfolio. The company is the only brick manufacturer to offer the 25-year guarantee. Mathew Davies, National Specification Manager for Vandersanden comments;“This guarantee offers specifiers the peace of mind that the buildings they design will retain the beauty of their original facades. Over time bricks can discolour and lose their lustre because of wet weather, air pollution or gypsum efflorescence. The result can have a detrimental effect on a building’s visual aesthetic, compromising the architect’s design vision. Our brick guarantee, means that brickworks will not be affected by gypsum efflorescence and facades built from Vandersanden’s wide range of bricks, will stay looking good for longer.” Innovative CoatingVandersanden worked with Belgian University, KU Leuven, to develop the solution which treats bricks with an innovative coating after the firing process. The process penetrates to a depth from 5mm to 15mm whilst retaining the original colour of the brick. The liquids contain no harmful substances or chemicals that can damage the brick or the environment and is applied at Vandersanden’s manufacturing facilities in Belgium and The Netherlands. A coated brick has exactly the same pore structure as a non-coated brick and the number of pores and their size remain the same. However, as the walls of the pores are covered with a water-repellent layer, the water droplets are no longer attracted to the walls and will not be absorbed. As the pores remain open, the bricks also retain their resistance to frost. To find out more click here RIBA certified CPD to enhance knowledgeVandersanden offers a RIBA certified CPD on how to prevent brick stains and efflorescence as part of their CPD webinar series. This CPD explains about the discolouration issues commonly experienced with brickwork facades and the reasons behind the different types of staining that occur, and also covers the preventative methods that can help avoid gypsum efflorescence and the protective role that innovative coated bricks can play. To find out more and register for the CPD, click here Inspirational ProjectsVandersanden has a long history of collaboration with leading architecture practices, with their products specified in a wide range of both commercial and residential buildings. Vandersanden’s coated bricks feature in a number of inspirational projects, including: Cosway Street; One of the first residential developments created and offered for sale by Westminster City Council, this project in Marylebone, London, designed by David Miller Architects, is a collection of 49 contemporary homes set around an attractive communal garden. Vandersanden’s Cayenne, Woodland Mixture and Lima bricks are integral both to the pre-cast Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) panels, forming the facades, and the traditional hand-laid brickwork lining the balcony spaces. Learn more here Oasis Academy: Setting an aesthetic benchmark at the heart of the regeneration of London’s Royal Docks, Oasis Academy Silvertown is a new Department for Education school created by architects Rivington Street Studio. The landmark building serves 11-16 year olds and achieves a BREEAM ‘Excellent' rating while its striking appearance owes much to the use of Vandersanden’s Perla bricks.Learn more here The Spa at South Lodge: Set amidst the rolling hills of the South Downs, the Spa at South Lodge is a sanctuary of relaxation and a shrine to well-being. Natural form, organic textures and harmonious colours were required to complement the existing hotel building and the surrounding countryside. Designed by Hove-based architectural firm, Felce and Guy, this prestigious 44,000 sq. ft building sits harmoniously in its beautiful, natural setting with Vandersanden’s Lithium bricks selected to provide regular form, nuanced colours and natural texture for the project. Learn more here To find out more about the 25-year guarantee and Vandersanden's coated bricks or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link

Although we have cast iron slotted air bricks in metric sizes to perfectly engage with modern plastic ducting and periscopes, there may come a time when the installation requires imperial old patterned cast iron air bricks. Connecting these can be especially difficult which is why we've introduced these aluminium sleeves known as the metimp adapators (short for metric imperial). They are available in two sizes, single air brick size to connect up to a periscope duct and cavity wall sleeve or the double brick size for connecting to a larger wall sleeve

Funky Blocks Thomas Street ManchesterStreet Furniture | VAD | Counter Terror BlocksLocation: ManchesterTownscapes CT blocks have been given a cool ‘funky’ makeover in Manchester.The Thomas Street Manchester scheme used a local street artist to design and implement the designs.Part of the wider safe routes for cycling scheme the blocks provide additional security whilst fully fitting in with the Thomas Street vibe.

Profile 6 was specified on the 'super' brick plant because it is a high strength fibre cement sheet that is unaffected by the humid and aggressive environments found in this type of plant.

For its architecturally striking Orwell House scheme in Bethnal Green, London, Bell Phillips Architects (BPA) has specified hand-formed, multi-coloured Antro bricks from Vandersanden, the brick maker renowned for its innovation, craftsmanship and sustainable manufacturing practices. Antro provides just the right balance of colour, texture and contrast for this affordable housing project, designed by BPA for London Borough of Tower Hamlets and forming part of the Berthold Lubetkin-designed Dorset Estate, originally constructed in the 1950’s and 1960’s.Comprising 20 flats in total, Orwell House is a new, wedge-shape, in-fill development, just off Colombia Road, to the North-West of the Borough. BPA’s imaginative design for this six-storey building features balconies and a roof terrace that look out across Ravenscroft Park with the steel-framed volume of Orwell House contained by Vandersanden’s multi-coloured greyish brick envelope. On the two shorter sides, this brick envelope is fronted by balconies clad in pink, glass-reinforced concrete (GRC) panels. This bold chequerboard patterning echoes the tones and patterns used by Lubetkin to animate facades on buildings across the existing estate.Completed in July 2020, Orwell House is a Finalist in the Housing Awards 2021. To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

The Challenge The Horsted development in Chatham, Kent, was to provide for a range of housing suitable for its suburban context. Incorporating a mix of two and three storeys, properties ranged from one and two-bedroomed apartments through to two to four-bedroom family homes with gardens, parking and garages, all set with an attractively landscaped setting of shared surface with pedestrian priority zones. The Solution The development incorporates 169 houses, 111 apartments, 9 coach houses and 63 affordable extra-care accommodation The design has been carefully crafted to create a relationship with the surroundings, with the choice of brick being key to achieving this objective. The combination of smooth red stocks and subtle and heavily creased soft mud bricks provide a pleasant aesthetic, alongside a combination of red, brown and occasional black slate roof tiles to give added variety. Chelsea Smoked Red brick from the Ecostock range was the brick selected for this development. 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 Benefits The site strikes a good balance between communal and private space, with the choice of brick adding warmth and connection to the surrounding environment. The brickwork contributes to achieving a high-quality finish. This project won the Large House Builder category in the 2018 Brick Development Association’s annual Brick Awards.

The ChallengeNearly 400,000 Forterra-supplied bricks have been used to construct a striking new nine-storey block of apartments in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool.Phase 2 of Norfolk House, on Simpson Street, is made up of 100 affordable apartments aimed at young professionals and students, and its architecture creates a link between the Georgian red brick warehouses of the area and the modern aluminium and glass buildings in the city centre.PROJECT INFOPRODUCT DETAILThe SolutionForterra’s recently launched high quality Farmstead Antique facing bricks were manufactured at the firm’s Accrington brickworks, and Norfolk House Phase 2 was the first large-scale project to utilise them.Architect James Tartt said “The Baltic is a trendy, up-and-coming cultural quarter of Liverpool set in the city’s historic docklands, and we wanted the design and brickwork of this scheme to reflect the renovated warehouses of the area, some of which date back to the 18th Century.“To this end, we had sample walls constructed at the site in the early stages before building work began, where we tested different types of brick and mortar to ensure they matched the surrounding architecture as closely as possible. Forterra’s Farmstead Antique bricks were ideal for this job.”The BenefitsIan Shard, Commercial Director of Lancashire Brick, who specified the job, said, “We knew we wanted quality new bricks which matched the area, and using Forterra’s handy online Brick Matching app we were able to find the closest brick type possible for our clients.”Forterra nominated the finished project for the 2018 Brick Awards, in the Large Housing Development category.

This stunning contemporary home situated in Waterford features Kingston Facing Brick from Tobermore. MDP + Partners’ concept was to create an introverted house, using two separate forms. These blocks were defined in material and scale, to create a private garden that the home is centred around. The one-off build incorporates indoor/outdoor living by connecting the south-facing garden.

Fish Island Village by Haworth Tompkins is a residential development located in the heart of Hackney Wick, London. The development was designed with the intention of preserving the area’s industrial heritage while incorporating modern and sustainable living spaces. The brick-fronted buildings, which are inspired by the local warehouses and factories, give the development a unique character and sense of history.To maintain the authenticity of the area, Fish Island Village made use of clay bricks in the construction of its buildings. The main type of clay brick used was the classic red-brown London Stock Brick. However, in addition to the London Stock Bricks, Fish Island Village also utilized other types of clay bricks, such as Freshfield Lane’s Danehill Yellows, to add texture and depth to the buildings. These different types of clay bricks were carefully selected to complement each other and enhance the overall look and feel of the development.Fish Island Village won the Urban Regeneration category in the 2022 BDA Brick Awards.

Project Overview:Fusion Facades Limited took center stage in the design and supply of architectural aluminium solutions for Battersea Reach Blocks H & J. Set over 15 storeys, this development known as The Pinnacle comprises 88 apartments, featuring an exclusive collection of penthouses. Boasting exquisite features, including floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies or terraces, and meticulously designed interiors by Broadway Malyan Architects, these luxury homes offer residents an unparalleled living experience with spacious layouts ranging from 613 sq. ft. to 3319 sq. ft. Fusion Facades played a crucial role by designing and supplying Brise Soleil solar shading, SnapLok Capping for flat roof parapet protection, and rainscreen cladding.Project Details:Scope of Works:Design and supply of Brise Soleil solar shadingDesign and supply of SnapLok Capping for flat roof parapet protectionDesign and supply of rainscreen claddingClient's Requirements:Battersea Reach Blocks H & J demanded architectural solutions that not only complemented the modern luxury of The Pinnacle but also accentuated the stunning riverside views. The client's key project requirements included:Architectural Excellence: A design that reflects the high-end luxury and modernity of The Pinnacle while seamlessly blending with Broadway Malyan Architects' interiors.Riverside Views: Solutions that enhance and frame the breathtaking riverside views from the apartments across all 15 storeys.Comprehensive Protection: Architectural elements that provide solar shading, protect flat roof parapets, and offer a sleek rainscreen cladding solution for the building.Fusion Facades' Approach:Fusion Facades Limited approached the Battersea Reach Blocks H & J project with a commitment to innovation and architectural finesse:Brise Soleil Solar Shading: Fusion Facades meticulously designed and supplied Brise Soleil, a solar shading solution that not only offers sun control but also adds an element of contemporary elegance to the exterior.SnapLok Capping for Flat Roof Parapets: The SnapLok Capping solution provided by Fusion Facades served a dual purpose, offering protection to flat roof parapets while contributing to the overall sleek aesthetic of the building.Rainscreen Cladding: Fusion Facades delivered a rainscreen cladding solution that not only offered weather protection but also added texture and depth to the building's facade, enhancing its visual appeal.Results:Fusion Facades Limited's design and supply contributions to Battersea Reach Blocks H & J yielded outstanding results:Architectural Integration: The Brise Soleil solar shading, SnapLok Capping, and rainscreen cladding seamlessly integrated into The Pinnacle's modern luxury aesthetic, enhancing the overall architectural excellence.Riverside Views Accentuated: The carefully considered design of Fusion Facades' solutions accentuated the stunning riverside views from all 88 apartments, contributing to the overall appeal of Battersea Reach Blocks H & J.Comprehensive Protection: Fusion Facades not only provided architectural elements for aesthetic enhancement but also ensured comprehensive protection with the SnapLok Capping and rainscreen cladding solutions.Conclusion:Fusion Facades Limited's design and supply of Brise Soleil solar shading, SnapLok Capping for flat roof parapet protection, and rainscreen cladding for Battersea Reach Blocks H & J exemplifies their commitment to architectural excellence. This case study underscores the importance of expertly designed and supplied solutions in achieving a harmonious blend of luxury, functionality, and breathtaking views in modern residential developments. Fusion Facades' role in Battersea Reach Blocks H & J stands as a testament to their ability to elevate architectural aesthetics to new heights.

HVM – landscaping with CT Block SeatsStreet furniture | landscape seatingCT Block RangeLocation: Todd Street, Manchester.Manchester CC has undertaken an improvement to the resilience of Todd street through the implementation of HVM measures to help protect the widely used public space at Cathedral Gardens.The aim of the improvements is to create a distinct and protected space for the public to use and linger beside the Todd street water features. The sympathetic use of Townscape’s CT Block in both a Dark Grey and Sandstone Red has helped to create a sense of tranquillity and focus. Townscape’s involvement in the project, has meant that the space has now been transformed into a practical yet engaging domain for staff, the local community, and visitors alike.The main contractor was Rosgal. The architects for the scheme were Manchester City Council

This 2018 Brick Awards winning project, the development on Creek Road, comprises of 83 contemporary homes and 1,800 sqm of commercial floor space. The architectural brief called for the brickwork to mirror an existing type and colour dating back to Victorian times. The selection of building materials was pivotal to the realisation of the project, and after careful consideration of the various options a decision was taken to centre the construction around one primary brick type: British manufactured Ibstock’s Funton Old Chelsea Yellow bricks, locally sourced from our Ashdown Factory, East Sussex.

The ChallengeBrick Kiln Lane is a development of seven, four and five-bedroomed, cottage-style units situated at the end of residential road in a quiet, rural area of Leicestershire. There are two different designs: four L-shaped and three rectangular. Each of the seven houses needed unique elements of detailing – including window variations, render and brickwork – to distinguish it from its neighbour.The SolutionHampton Rural Blend brick was chosen to complement the character style of the development. Combined with recessed mortar joints, the brick blend, which is made up of several shades, creates a more aged appearance that helps the houses to sit comfortably within their environment.The BenefitsThe brick detailing on the units includes dentilation around the eaves and gables, and segmental arches over windows, all of which are in keeping with the traditional architectural style of the units and serve to enhance their aesthetic appeal.

Hand-formed Crème bricks from high quality manufacturer, Vandersanden, are core to the design vision behind Westbourne Park Baptist Church, a recently completed mixed-use development in West London, designed by award-winning architects, Allies and Morrison. A Baptist church was first established on this site, close to the Royal Oak Underground station, back in 1875. This original church was damaged beyond repair during the Second World War but its replacement, erected in the 1960's, had become outdated, was poorly configured and expensive to maintain. A community-led project and partnership between social housing provider, Dolphin Living, and Westbourne Park Baptist Church, appointed Allies and Morrison to design a scheme that would include new accommodation for the church, a family centre, and the Paddington Children's Library alongside a community hall and 33 intermediate affordable homes. Winner of a Highly Commended accolade in the Civic Trust Awards 2021, the Allies and Morrison design creates an exemplar in the integration of religious, community and residential uses through a compact mixed-use development. A 'campanile' provides a focal point that announces the presence of the church at the heart of the scheme. The main building itself features large windows which signal the location and provide generous direct daylight into the five upper floors of apartments. As well as reflecting its multi-use character, this scheme also addresses the sensitive heritage of the site and its residential context. Here, the choice of brick as a material was significant. Allies and Morrison selected Vandersanden’s Crème facing brick in a 50mm size for the project. “We went through an extensive design review process in brick selection before settling on Crème from Vandersanden,” says Richard White, Associate at Allies and Morrison. “This hand-formed cream-coloured brick helps elevate the status of the design, forming a consistent and restrained material and colour palette of brick, steel, aluminium and glass that sits harmoniously with the stucco of the adjacent villas. The geometry of the brick modules is important both in expressing the building’s aesthetic and helping to harmonise its scale with its architectural context.” Crème is created from a combination of different clay forms which yield a white base colour, then coated with specific sand types to bring a grained, creased texture and shades of yellow to the overall final appearance. At Westbourne Park Baptist Church brick headers and stretchers are layered alternately in each course with headers centred on the stretchers of the course below in an attractive Flemish bond. At the same time, the 50mm format of the Crème brick, in combination with splayed reveals on the campanile, pulled headers on the building’s uppermost recessed storey and evenly placed vertical break lines help order the building’s massing as it steps down to mediate between the taller mixed-use buildings of Porchester Road and the smaller-scale residential character of the historic Westbourne Park Villas. Approximately, 150,000 bricks were sourced for the project.To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

It is hard to believe that this charming assisted living development for Northampton Partnership Homes is a prefabricated, pre-clad, panelised factory manufactured project.Designed by Maber Architects and manufactured by Accord's LoCal Homes business, this project demonstrates that prefabricated doesn't have to mean that aesthetics are compromised. Utilising both faces of the Wienerberger New Red Multi Gilt Stock brick, FastClad's factory bonded brick cladding system was by far the most natural brick façade without having to resort to a traditional brick skin. 

Block Soho contract Aqua Libra as exclusive branded water supplier, and say ‘every restaurant should stock it’

Chelwood House by Napier Clarke is a clean, modern building in Chesham Bois, Amersham. It was built to replace an existing suburban house and is located within an area of special character meaning it was vital to seamlessly blend into the local area.Napier Clarke elected to use local brick and charred timber to ensure the house’s materials were able to sit visually well within the immediate area. Chelwood’s impressive size (5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, living space, snug, kitchen/ dining, play area, garage, utility room and an attic yoga room) and modern visual leanings were expected to be a challenge for local planning authorities. However, the building’s sympathetic materials and centrepiece vaulted roofs were inspired by the local area and the proposals were accepted.Chelwood introduces a cantilevered brick upper floor to its design which contrasts the simple design of the ground floor. Internally, the same materials used in its external spaces are repeated, creating a series of truly dynamic focal points.Chelwood uses legacy Michelmersh products in its production and recently won the Individual Housing Award in the 2022 BDA Brick Awards.

Originally an anonymous, almost forbidding, seven-storey office block constructed in the 1980s, York House on Pentonville Road in Islington is being transformed into a contemporary, light-filled co-working space fit for 21st century use.The original building frontage was set back from the road, but the addition of a new five-story front extension introduces an attractive double-height entrance with offices above. Using similar engineering bricks to the main, original building, the new construction allows light to flood in through the use of structurally self-supporting perforated brick lattice, angled at 45 degrees to gain stiffness. A cross-laminated timber structure sits behind while openable windows allow fresh air to circulate.At roof level, a new, cross-laminated timber structure, clad in a perforated zig-zag aluminium screen, echoes the front extension while softening the building edge.The brick selected for the project was a Blue Brindle Smooth – a high quality smooth brick that closely matched the masonry of the original building. The complexity of the lattice work structure required special shapes of brick and perforation to allow visibility through the bricks at the right points. Working closely with the architect, it took the team nine months of developing and testing to get the strength of the product right. Three lengths of brick were produced and used in the construction of the extension: 215s were used in the building of the chevron parapet, 345s were used on the parapet and alongside the entrance, and 440s were used to create the latticework on the main entrance.We are proud to announce that York House was highly commended at the 2019 Brick Awards in the Innovation category and is a great example of a collaborative approach with our customers.

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.

Oakland Mews is a 21-plot residential development set within the village of Strumpshaw, Norfolk. Based on the site of a former factory, this high-quality development of detached and semi-detached dwellings delivers modern, spacious living, respectfully designed and crafted to the very highest specification using quality materials, including Hampton Rural Blend brick and Cradley Brick Specials, produced by Forterra.Aware of the site’s historic significance and agricultural location, the contractor, Total Build East Anglia Ltd, committed to using traditional materials and building methods that were in keeping with the area and delivered on its vision to bring an appealing and exclusive development to Strumpshaw.Total Build East Anglia Ltd consulted building materials supplier MKM Building Supplies Norwich to help find the appropriate bricks and tiles for the houses. It wanted a traditional red-brick style, which matched the look of a former factory that occupied the site previously and preserved the area’s heritage. Total Build selected the stock-thrown Hampton Rural Blend brick for the facing brick walls. The rustic red brick, tarnished with blackened flashes, perfectly complements the slate grey Cradley Brick Specials copings and cappings, and the dark timber cladding on the properties.Hampton Rural Blend is part of Forterra’s Ecostock range of pressed and thrown bricks manufactured at its Measham factory, which uses ground-breaking technology in sustainability and production efficiency to deliver advanced colour consistency, dimensional accuracy and quality.“An old factory used to be on the site of the development,” said Jason Hilldrup, Brick, Block, Tile and Architectural Masonry Specialist at MKM Norwich. “It was an attractive, traditional red-brick building, directors Andy Brown and Lindsey George of Total Build wanted to ensure the new development was in keeping with what had been there previously.“We reviewed some options together, looking for a brick that looked old and traditional, and they went for the Hampton Rural Blend facing brick and black-slate coloured Cradley Specials copings and cappings. The combination of the two flowed together nicely, and for the price and style, the bricks ticked all their boxes. The bricklayers and cream-coloured mortar choices have been great too. It’s come together really nicely, creating a fantastic site that has modern touches but keeps the traditional style.”

Broughton & Yeamans House are high rise apartment blocks in Bristol, Avon, under the management of Bristol City Council. The roof areas, totalling over 3,500m2, had originally been waterproofed with asphalt and then later treated with a coating repair.Unfortunately, water ingress continued to be a problem with leaking occurring at numerous locations. Not wanting to cause further disruption to the residents and to avoid costly damage to the interior of the buildings, the council contacted Polyroof and a survey of the roof was arranged.The survey by Polyroof’s Technical Services highlighted the extent of the issues within the roof, including identifying water ingress through the many vertical sections present on the roofs, including parapet walls and the lift house building. After performing core tests on the roof, it was shown that the existing roof build, which contained insulation as part of a warm roof design, was in a suitable condition to be retained and overlaid – avoiding costly disruption for the client and residents.A bespoke specification was drawn up by the Polyroof Technical Team that provided a comprehensive set of recommendations to ensure the apartment blocks were fully protected from the elements.To make sure the roof could be left in a totally weatherproof condition, it was necessary to treat not only the flat roof sections but the vertical areas too. The client was keen to improve the thermal performance of the buildings by adding additional insulation, but it was imperative that disruption was kept to a minimum – not only would stripping works impact on the buildings’ residents, but hauling waste materials from such a great height would be costly and logistically challenging.With BBA approval, top-rated fire performance and Polyroof’s trusted 20 Year Accredited System Guarantee, the client has total peace of mind that the apartment block could not be better protected for decades to come.

Location: LondonMain Contractor: Berkeley GroupLondon Dock Block F is situated in the heart of Wapping, London, with a magnificent choreographed central water feature and the finest selection of high-quality new homes.The building, which will provide a total of 360 new apartments, is split into blocks at different heights to a maximum of 16 storeys, including communal roof gardens, courtyards and green roofs.The OBEX Class B Interface Sealing System and the Class A1 Breather Membrane System were specified in order to achieve full regulatory compliance and meet the correct performance standards.Quality Apartments: 360

Designed by architect Karakusevic Carson Architects with Maccreanor Lavington, Dujardin Mews is a multi-award-winning collection of 38 new homes and is the first social housing to be built in Enfield in 40 years.Built to replace nearby high-rise social housing towers, Dujardin Mews is a traditional street of attached houses but with a distinctly unique style. The homes achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes level 5 with reduced running costs thanks to their designs. Freshfield Lanes First Quality Multi bricks help the project blend into the area and allow a soft, traditional red brick glow to palette the area.Dujardin Mews has won a host of awards since 2018 including a Civic Trust Award, A RIBA National and London Award, A Brick Award and more.

A new crematorium facility for Huntingdon Town Council, Huntingdon Crematorium is a collection of buildings equipped with ceremonial spaces and the appropriate crematory functions. The specification of Vandersanden’s Perla and Morvan bricks has resulted in buildings that have made a striking contribution to the landscape of the greenfield site while also helping to change the accepted perception of crematorium buildings. “We were looking for a way of making the process of going to an end of life ceremony uplifting and hopeful,” explains Mark Doohan, managing director at Benchmark Architects. “We had the idea of creating a curved, white, brick building within which there are beautiful, light filled and airy spaces.” When envisioning the scheme, the team at Benchmark Architects realised that by inserting a black brick wall across the site they could create a ‘canvas’ that provided the separation between the front of house and working areas of the crematorium. Against this, on one side, they packed three curved white brick volumes to create the key spaces, adjusted in height according to the hierarchy of their importance: the entrance lobby, waiting room and chapel. Out of sight, behind the wall, are the cremators, plant rooms, offices and other functional elements. The design focuses on a central drum flooded with natural light. The main building contains the ceremonial hall for 125 people, waiting rooms and crematory with capacity for two cremators. A second building contains a multi-purpose function room - that can be used for wakes - and a café with associated catering facilities and administrative offices. Having created the design vision, the choice of appropriate bricks was crucial. Good white bricks are hard to come by, often they’re tinged with yellow or beige; finding black bricks that are not simply colour coated or are a dark blue is equally hard, says Doohan.“We were delighted when we were able to find the Vandersanden bricks. We genuinely love the texture and through colour quality of Vandersanden’s white Perla and black Morvan bricks. They set off our concept perfectly, with the white brick capturing the light in the way that we envisioned when first sketching out the idea.” A double soldier course heads the windows to form a band around the building and is repeated close to the top of the main drum. There is also a recessed course 500 mm off the ground that creates a scored line at the base, bringing additional balance to the building. This is achieved by setting one course back by some 25 mm. Another advantage of the Vandersanden bricks is that they can be used in the ground below DPC level, visually rooting the building to the landscape. It was essential that the volumes were homogenous in feel so a good mortar match was vital. Lime mortar was selected and was aesthetically important due to its colour, texture and because its flexibility reduced the number of movement joints required. The lime used, NHL 3.5, was naturally white; for the black brickwork it was pigmented. When seen from a distance, only the overall form of the building is perceived but, on getting closer, the brick details start to stand out. Then, when really close, the contribution that the texture, pattern, shape and almost handmade quality of the individual bricks makes to the quality of the building becomes clear. We’re always keen to specify products where we get really good technical support, notes Doohan. “Vandersanden were excellent at providing advice and technical backup whenever we had a question. Since becoming aware of Vandersanden products, they are our go-to source for brick. As architects, we’re image-based creatures so the website is incredibly helpful. It’s an excellent way of being able to see the bricks in loads of different and inspiring building types. Many brick suppliers don’t show that connection. Most importantly, our client for Huntingdon Crematorium is delighted with the brickwork.”To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link

application area: commercial heatinguse type: industrial condensing boilersproject scope: preserve rectangular flue shape and maintain lined diameteradded value: quick and efficient installation with minimal downtime and disruption to the building structureBackgroundTwo new high efficiency condensing boilers fitted into the basement of a nine-story office block (Dublin Civic Offices, Ireland) using two separate brick lined chimneys that rose through the nine floors and exited on the rooftop.The brick chimneys posed a problem as the chambers measered 300mm x 450mm no standard 350mm flue liner would fit. Due to the pliability of Furnflex, the liner was able to take up an oval shape in the chamber giving it the full 350mm required. This building is an extremely busy high-profile office block therefore minimum disruption to day to day business was required.Statement of workFollowing an onsite survey, Furanflex was deemed the ideal solution to line both chimneys. The installations were carried out over two weekends, one for each chimney, with no disruption to the office operations. The project completed on time and within budget.

HVM – landscaping with CT Block SeatsStreet furniture | landscape seatingCT Block RangeLocation: Stratford, E15As part of the UCL East Campus Masterplan, 79 of Townscape’s Counter Terror Block Seating was used to landscape a large public realm directly outside of the main entrance to the UCL East Campus on Pool Street, Stratford.The aim of the developments at UCL east is to create a distinct and unique campus that provides an environment fit for learning and socialisation. Townscape’s involvement in the process, particularly Phase 1, has meant that the space has now been transformed into a practical yet engaging domain for students, staff, the local community, and visitors alike.The main contractor was Mace, and the sub-contractor was Maylim. The architects for the scheme were Ove Arup.

The new build St George’s Quay student accommodation is part of the Luneside East Regeneration Project in Lancaster, which will create a new quarter of the city with a mix of housing, commercial space, high quality open spaces and walking and cycling routes.In a prominent waterfront setting on the edge of the River Lune and built on the site of the former St George’s Mill, the St George’s Quay development comprises four student accommodation blocks, ranging from three to six storeys, delivering 431 bedrooms in clusters and studio apartments.PROJECT INFOThe buildings are modelled around the existing industrial architecture of the site. The client used a mix of materials, including brickwork that reflects the local vernacular and Corten steel cladding to emphasise the site’s industrial history.In addition to the 431 bedrooms, the development also provides a gym, games room, communal dining, study area, and on-site parking.The development aims to be a landmark in urban regeneration and high quality design and be an exemplar of sustainable developments.The brick selected for the scheme is Belgravia Gault Blend, a buff, thrown brick from Forterra’s Ecostock range. It has a rustic finish that resembles a handmade brick. Ecostock bricks are manufactured using the latest technology in sustainability and production efficiency, producing bricks with low embodied energy as well as advanced colour consistency, dimensional accuracy and quality.

Twinnell House is an 18 storey residential block of flats in Bristol. SPSenvirowall system which consisted of 4,500m2 of 140mm grey EPS with an acrylic brick slip finish in red nuance and Staffordshire blue and a coloured render was supplied. Once installed, the u-value calculation went from 2.06 W/m²K to 0.23 W/m²K providing residents with a much warmer home and lower energy costs.

Ibstock Place School opened its newly built refectory in 2021. Designed by Maccreanor Lavington the competition-winning design is a dedicated space for the most communal part of the school. With a high ceiling and intricate woodwork, the open space is functional but uplifting.The high-level roof lanterns form a chimney to pull out hot air during the summer as well as fill the space with soft natural light, which is perfectly accented by acoustic dampening panels of oak.Handmade Bricks from Freshfield Lane were used in the construction of the cloister and work perfectly with the school’s previous uses of brick. Additionally, the choice of bricks helps set the building within its tranquil garden setting. The handmade Freshfield Lane brick helps the building age gracefully into the landscape while retaining a notable elegance. This sophisticated taste is mirrored inside by soft copper notes and long, hanging light fittings.

Student Castle aims to create the ultimate university experience for students by providing high quality contemporary accommodation at locations across the UK. In Brighton, East Sussex, international design practice, Hassell, is responsible for designing one of the company’s latest schemes – an impressive, nine-storey mixed use building. With brick as the principal element, the studio worked closely with Vandersanden to achieve the detailing and precise finish required.Located in a prominent location on Lewes Road in the heart of Brighton’s student district, the building includes student accommodation, a new home for the Centre for Inclusive Music and a local community ‘Hub’ space. Although the scale of the building is substantially larger than the buildings previously on the site, its massing was carefully managed by creating a scheme with a stepped and staggered zigzag form. To support and strengthen the architectural composition, the materials were reduced to a simple palette. Vandersanden’s Anicius hand-formed facing brick wraps all sides of the building - a light coloured, slightly indented 10mm mortar joint enlivening the whole - its use and colouration tying the building into the local architectural context. The brick facades are broken and capped by a series of horizontal bands and copings formed from white precast GRC (glass reinforced concrete) sections, setting out the horizontal order and announcing breaks in the building’s geometry. The aesthetic is further enhanced by dark bronze coloured aluminium sections framing the windows. Notably, all window reveals are brick, including the cills; an important feature of the project.“The selection of the brick began with a brainstorming session where we looked at different ranges and options, but knew an engineered brick look wouldn’t be suitable,” says Tiago Arieira, project architect at Hassell. “We chose Vandersanden’s Anicius brick because it was dark, but also had a slight white softness. We liked the idea of a more natural and irregular material with its sand-coated, grained structure.” One of the biggest design challenges with the brickwork was creating the multiple corners that result from the zigzag and stepped detailing that helps break up the mass of the building and allows sea views from the terraces. “Many of the junctions are not at right angles, so conventional brick joints would have been impractical,” explains Arieira. “Vandersanden’s Sales Team were incredibly helpful from the beginning. We talked about the different angles and how we were looking to achieve neat edges. Through this consultation, we were able to identify that the bricks could be cut and the corner bricks formed off-site to achieve a precise finish that would also save time with site installation.” The desired outcome was achieved using Revit digital software to map every angle at every level and to quantify the number of bricks and the exact mitre that had to be formed for each junction. The distances between the windows and the heights of the brick courses were also carefully calculated to ensure a precise aesthetic. “On site, the solution worked well and, because everything to do with the brickwork was carefully pre-planned, there were no issues during construction,” says Arieira.“Although it was the natural look and feel of the Anicius brick that first impressed us, Vandersanden was really helpful throughout the process,” notes Tiago Arieira. “The process worked because of a strong collaboration from the early stages. Vandersanden understood their product and were able to give us the support we needed in achieving our design vision.”To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

Valette Square is a community of 33 mixed 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms townhouses with private gardens and terraces, built in Salford’s historic centre. Developed by @buttressarchitects , it was designed to introduce new homes to the area, create easy links to nearby areas and for community spaces to exist where possible.The area is named after Pierre Adolphe Valette – a French impressionist who taught the local painter L.S Lowry, and taught at the Manchester Municipal School of Art. The local existing Georgian aesthetics were echoed in the development with Floren’s Brunello bricks being selected for their tones and subtlety, leaning towards nearby red brick buildings.Amongst numerous sustainable efforts, the townhouses’ façade and positioning make the most of natural daylight to reduce the amount of artificial lighting needed, improved insulation and smart heating systems.Valette Square was shortlisted for the Housing Design Award in 2020

The Grid is a four-storey project in Leeds, it consists of 11 apartments housing 38 beds with a cycle store, gym and laundry facilities. Its modern approach to design fits the aesthetic choices of university students while landscaped grounds offer an area of calm with limited parking for each flat.The Grid makes perfect use of Carlton’s Wolds Minster Blend and its internal contemporary leanings. The dark orange, red, purple and brown bricks create a harmonious visual synergy with the ageing brickwork in the surrounding area.

With over 1,000 pupils at the school, Walthamstow Academy's Board of Governors required a gender-neutral toilet block that could accommodate all its students regardless of their gender – creating a more inclusive environment.Read the full case study on our website.

London Brick wall panels in Sandy Brown were specified for this office redesign for their strength and natural characteristics. Our highly durable Texture panels are ideal for busy areas with high footfall so are perfect for the large wall in the social breakout space. In addition,Texture wall panels can support decoration and integrate features with ease, such as the television screen in this project. London Brick Sandy Brown also provides a perfect backdrop for the orange neon-lit sign. Throughout the design, the execution is impeccable with high quality fixtures and colourful furnishings bringing the office to life.

Brick manufacturer Vandersanden presents an enhanced series of seven engaging and informative CPD webinars including their newest CPD ‘Brick: circularity, sustainability and innovation’. The sessions are part of Vandersanden’s portfolio of learning and development tools, aimed at architects and specifiers, to help build their knowledge base and keep them updated on new techniques and innovations in brick manufacturing.Vandersanden’s informative CPD webinar series is designed to be concise yet packed with useful information to inspire architects to learn more about the creative design potential of bricks.Mathew Davies, National Specification Manager for Vandersanden comments:“Vandersanden is one of Europe’s most innovative producers of bricks and our CPD modules, many of which are RIBA approved, have already had great feedback from our partners at architectural practices. Following their response, we’ve extended our CPD programme, based on requests for more diverse and in-depth brick topics, and our new CPD on sustainability is proving particularly popular. We aim to make the sessions as interactive as possible, with plenty of time for live Q&A with team members during, and at the end of each session.”The webinar series consists of seven CPD sessions, which take place on the first Wednesday of every month. The CPD series includes the following:RIBA Certified CPD #1– Brick basicsThis CPD explores the origins and anatomy of brick, as well as covering the main brick types and commonly used configurations and bonding patterns. The CPD also discusses the influence of joints and mortar, accommodating building movement and important considerations when specifying brick.RIBA Certified CPD #2 – How to avoid brick stains and efflorescenceThis CPD explains about the discolouration issues commonly experienced with brickwork facades and the reasons behind the different types of staining that occur. The course then covers the preventative methods that can help avoid this efflorescence and the protective role that innovative coated bricks can play.CPD #3 The brick - From the fundamentals to inspired designAn introduction to the different types of clay brick and the range of sizes, colours, textures and finishes available to help create inspired building design. This CPD reveals some of the key technical considerations and will help attendees learn more about brick as a sustainable building product.CPD #4 The brick - Special techniques & innovationsThis CPD explores some of Vandersanden’s new brick innovations and how different manufacturing techniques are used to deliver their unique range of bricks. The webinar then looks at a number of project examples that demonstrate how these can be applied to create beautifully inspired building designs.RIBA Certified CPD #5 – Textured brickworkThis CPD demonstrates the texture effects that can be achieved when specifying and designing clay brick facades. The webinar explores how texture can be used to enhance building aesthetics and then looks at the main brick types, relevant bonding patterns and technical considerations.RIBA Certified CPD #6 – Movement in brickworkThis CPD shows how to accommodate movement in brickwork, and the possible causes and types of movement. It looks at where to position vertical and horizontal movement joints and discusses the technical considerations for cavity wall construction in relation to movement joints.RIBA Certified CPD #7 - Brick: circularity, sustainability and innovationThis CPD looks at how bricks are manufactured sustainably, the important role innovation plays in reducing the use of clay through the manufacture of thin bricks and manufactured brick slips, brick and the circular economy and innovations in brick sustainability including carbon negative bricks.Mathew Davies, National Specification Manager for Vandersanden concludes:“Vandersanden is committed to sharing our expertise and providing inspiration that supports our collaboration with architects and specifiers, this CPD series continues to help build our professional partnership community.”To register to attend and to find out more click on the 'View more' link

Upper Longcross is a development project by Crest Nicholson. The project involved the construction of new homes in Surrey. The development was designed to provide a mix of affordable and luxury housing, with a focus on sustainability and green spaces.Crest Nicholson’s commitment to sustainability was evident in the design of the Upper Longcross development. The homes were built to a high standard of energy efficiency, with features such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems. The development also featured extensive green spaces, including a central park and a network of footpaths and cycle routes. The Upper Longcross development has been widely praised for its innovative approach to sustainability and for providing high-quality homes in desirable locations.Michelmersh’s Hampshire Stock Dark and Light Multi bricks are instantly recognisable and assist the houses to stand out from their leafy scenery and help harmonise modern and more traditional facades. Freshfield Lane Lindfield Yellow bricks are also seen within the development.