"brick slip"

Woodlands is a high-quality retirement scheme of 17 luxury apartments by PegasusLife, now part of Lifestory, in exclusive Canford Cliffs, Dorset. Designed by Snug Architects, the building’s striking, contemporary form is crafted to include a carefully specified combination of whitewashed, vertical timber cladding, glazed balconies, bronze-coloured windows and white Antro facing brick slips from leading brick innovator, Vandersanden. “It was the team at PegasusLife that first suggested using Vandersanden brick slips,” explains Mike Worthington, director at Snug Architects. “The very stylish Antro brick complements the whitewashed timber cladding and the bronze metal colour of the windows very well to provide an incredibly mature material palette.” Within walking distance of the beach, Woodlands stands on Flaghead Road amongst age-old pines. The building’s architecture was inspired by its setting and, although bold and contemporary, relates harmoniously to the scale of the surrounding housing. The structure was conceived as a three-storey modern brick envelope with a basement car park that has lift access. Woodlands was built using a reinforced concrete frame construction. Instead of traditional brickwork, Gebrik Brick Cladding Panels featuring Vandersanden’s Antro brick slips were supplied by Aquarian Cladding for the project. These were constructed off-site and installed straight onto the building frame. By using Gebrik panels, the aesthetics of the building were maintained as originally designed while minimising on-site works. A further advantage was that the build programme was more efficient than with traditional construction as the building was watertight more quickly, so interior spaces could be fitted out in tandem with work to the exterior. To complete the facade, Antro brick pistols and splayed/canted brick specials were employed with the bricks wrapped underneath the soffit of window and balcony openings. Vandersanden’s Antro stock facing bricks have a sanded-coated and creased structure. They are a mix of different kinds of clay forms and made with 100% natural resources; the loam that forms the most important base material dates from the Ice Age. By using specific sand types for the surface covering, the desired colour is achieved. Mike Worthington says: “The Vandersanden bricks are good quality and provided the basis for a beautiful and mature materiality for this retirement living development which we were delighted with. They’ve weathered very well and we’re regularly complimented on the scheme and asked who supplied the bricks. We’re very proud of it.” Canford Cliffs is an affluent suburb of Poole with a significant population of retired people. PegasusLife is a retirement living provider on a mission to fundamentally re-think retirement living in the UK. Unsurprisingly, Woodlands was shortlisted for the 2017 RIBA South West Awards. Further details on Snug Architects are available at https://www.snugarchitects.co.uk. 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 

Close to the historic market town of Nantwich, renowned for its medieval timbered architecture, Chamberlain Developments in association with DEP Architects have created nine bespoke two, three and four-bedroom homes in the wonderful bucolic village setting of Acton. Eighty intricate Keystone brick slip feature lintels feature across the ground and first floor door and window openings on the phase two development.ChallengeThe new homes are sympathetically placed around the restored and converted traditional 18th century farmhouse, ancillary barns and outbuildings from the initial phase one development, situated near the 13th century St. Mary’s Church. The architecture plans specified a combination of bespoke brick slip flat gauge arches, parabolic arches and bullseye lintels, each requiring a flawless brick surround finish in keeping with the heritage sensitivity of the site.The plans received from T G Builders Merchant originally included brick slip lintels for the front and rear elevations only, however, Keystone’s team were able to offer Chamberlain Developments a solution for the other more intricate brick details and the specification was therefore increased to include additional brick slip flat gauge arches and bullseye lintels for the side elevations.SolutionKeystones dedicated technical team ensured each bespoke lintel was manufactured to size, shape and aesthetic requirements within the project build schedule. A consignment of bricks were collected from site, cut and bonded offsite onto load bearing lintels using a BBA approved construction adhesive. The weatherproof controlled environment helped to guarantee a high quality brick finish and eliminated delays onsite from disruptive weather conditions.The flat gauge arches were designed with a 70-degree brick skew and all lintels were suited to a wall construction of 325mm, 215mm brick height and 102.5mm soffit return, removing the need for skilled labour onsite. The prefabricated brick slip lintels were delivered to site ready for final pointing, with larger and heavier lintels including lifting hooks for an easier and safer installation.Testimonial“We have specified Keystone many times before and have always been impressed with both the company’s products and customer support. At our Church Farm development, the brick slip feature lintels played a key part in the design of the new build homes. They look fantastic and the excellent detailing ensures they blend seamlessly with the rest of the brickwork.”Richard BullockContracts Manager at Chamberlain Developments

The Cube is a striking new student housing development in the centre of Utrecht, Netherlands, designed by Amsterdam-based architectural practice, Team V, and featuring Freya multi-coloured brick slips from Vandersanden, which are used with the award-winning, pre-fabricated Signa facade system. This multi-use complex, which incorporates 639 student apartments and 1,000m2 of commercial space, provides a dramatic focal point in the redeveloped Overvecht area with its stepped rooftop landscape and two 50-meter-tall, interlocking vertical accents. The Cube mainly consists of small independent living spaces of about 21 square meters. Students can also use a wide range of shared amenities, such as living rooms and studies, laundry rooms, bike storage, and a rooftop garden on each floor. A series of rooftop gardens, connected to one another by stairs, form two routes that start on the ground floor, recognisable as a timber-finished incision cut out of the brick facade.Built in a year and a half by utilising clever design solutions, The Cube incorporates lightweight prefabricated components, to help accelerate the construction process and reduce material usage by cutting the depth and density of the foundations required. This pre-fabricated solution was the result of a collaboration between the architect, the builder and Vandersanden. Whilst searching for light weight building solutions and with a relatively fast building time in mind, a prefab option was specified. The unique Signa system comprises a prefabricated panel designed on the basis of a dimensionally stable brick panel that is resistant to the weather and covered with sustainable Vandersanden brick slips. Together with a prefab manufacturer the final panels were fabricated under stable conditions and assembled in Utrecht. A crane and 2 to 4 construction workers mounted up to 12-14 panels a day.Freya brick slips were chosen for their nuanced yellow/buff colour with ochre and grey tones, and a grained, characterful appearance. Two types of brick bond were used for the design, one being a vertical stretcher bond and the other a unique block bond. What is seen on the facade is the rigid structure of the grid that is used horizontally and vertically.Ruben Smits, architect from Team V explains; ‘the depth difference and the horizontal and vertical direction of the bricks, ensures that the prefabricated seams are hidden, creating a uniform facade appearance. We have also made great use of encouraging habitats for wildlife and all of that is behind the brickwork facade. We chose Vandersanden’s Freya brick slips because of its texture and variety of tones and colours, which helped us to achieve our design vision. The Signa panels offered us endless creative possibilities and fit together seamlessly which helped to accelerate the build process.’The choice of the Vandersanden Freya brick slips for this project was the result of much research into finding a brick with the desired aesthetics, which would also meet the technical requirements of the project. This brick type was a unanimous choice amongst those involved in the decision-making process. The project was completed in Autumn 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 former Marlow Railway Station dates back to 1873 and stood at the junctions of Station Road and Lock Road. The Old Coal Yard, adjacent to a station platform now only present, has been developed and designed by Bellwood Homes on the concept of three converted Victorian railway terraced buildings.Broadsman House, Palatine Place and Fenman Court consist of three 2-bedroom houses, eight 2-bedroom apartments and one 1-bedroom apartment providing commuters stylish suburban living. Keystones brick slip feature arch lintels and special segmental arch lintels encompass the traditional and contemporary balance of the housebuilders architectural vision.ChallengeThe fashionable commuter town on the Thames has been well preserved, limiting modern styled developments to maintain its original character and historic fabric of heritage buildings. Bellwood homes wanted a sense of purpose for their regeneration project – reconnecting people with what really matters to them, property location and design. The vernacular architecture provides both. A prime location for commuters to ride the branch line into London, renown as the ‘Marlow Donkey’, and fits subtly within the notable context of Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian styles of architecture in Marlow.SolutionKeystone’s technical engineer designed extra heavy-duty brick slip feature arch lintels for ground, first and second floor openings with a 1085mm span and 543mm rise. Over forty brick slip arches were manufactured by Keystone’s production team to a high quality and consistent finish. Each Hoskins Maltings Antique brick was cut to size and bonded using a BBA approved construction adhesive to the load bearing lintels. The patented perforated lintel design allowed the adhesive to squeeze through the perforations and form a ‘mushroom’ on the inside, providing a mechanical lock between the steel lintel and the brick slips.The offsite economical solution did not require skilled bricklayers on site to replicate each traditional arch. This saved approximately labour costs of one bricklayer per arch per day and ultimately weeks of the project build schedule. All prefabricated lintels were delivered to site and ready for final pointing in line with the phased construction plan of the three buildings being erected. The arches produced in a factory control environment were unaffected by torrential weather and winter reduced day light hours limiting productivity. This can often occur on other build schedules which lead to further delays in creating architectural features with real significance to the landscape.The offsite construction method facilitated onsite construction further by supporting bricklayers to recreate window tax designs, bricked up window spaces seen in buildings from the Victorian period. The detail of the façade is prominent most through the repetition of window arches positioned symmetrically on elevations facing the Marlow station. Keystones heavy-duty special segmental arches measuring a 2400mm span, with either a 600mm or 450mm rise provide a modern contemporary twist which feature above glazed bedroom windows and are in complete contrast to the smaller traditional arched windows striking a balance between old and new architecture.Testimonial“From R&D to installation we found Keystones prefabricated lintels very efficient. They reduce brick wastage approximately by 5%. Typically, traditional built arches would require one bricklayer for approximately six hours work. Therefore, this reduced labour costs on site whilst supporting bricklayers to achieve the desired architectural design.”Matthew McGillSite Manager at Bellwood Homes

A unique residential Pocket Living development recently completed in Barking features highly effective thermal performance and an attractive appearance thanks to an integrated package of insulation and exterior façade products provided by Sto. The company’s StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system, with Sto-Rotofix Plus fixings and StoCleyer B Brick Slip façade finish, have all been installed on this town-centre project at Whiting Avenue.

Two new apartment buildings in Kent have been given a thermally-efficient and visually-striking façade thanks to the use of an external wall insulation system from Sto. The two new blocks in Ashford - Stour Heights and Somerset Heights – have a single-skin construction, comprising a reinforced concrete frame with concrete block infill, and they benefit from the installation of StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation, with a StoCleyer B mineral brick slip and StoSilco render façade finish.“An alternative insulation system was originally proposed for these buildings,” says John Mahoney of Sheffield-based J Mahoney Architects. “As things progressed a different solution was required to meet the demands of the various parties involved in the project. Sto pretty much leads the pack in terms of quality, and the StoTherm Mineral system was able to satisfy everyone’s requirements, so it became the obvious choice. The fact that Sto could work with us and provide technical support was also extremely helpful.”The BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system uses mineral-fibre boards to provide outstanding thermal performance, combined with reliable fire protection and effective sound insulation. Its efficient single-leaf construction and external installation do not compromise the building’s interior space, and it can be installed without the need for additional expansion joints.For the new buildings, it was installed using Sto’s unique Sto-Rotofix plus mechanical fixing system. The helical Rotofix fixings create a cavity behind the insulation board, which can be easily adjusted after installation to ensure a level outer surface is created. This system combines the ease-of-use of ETICS anchors with the flexibility of a mechanical rail system, but without the material and labour cost of installing the rails.“The StoCleyer B brick slips were specified to meet certain planning requirements,” adds John Mahoney. “An alternative brick solution was originally considered, but Sto was able to manufacture slips which were a perfect match for the proposed original. The fact that they were also fully compatible with the Sto insulation system was another significant point in their favour.”The new buildings have added 109 one- and two-bedroomed flats which are spread across the five floors of Stour Heights, and the three floors of Somerset Heights.

Halamar acquired this site in Beaconsfield. Planning permission was granted for a new build two-storey detached dwelling, replacing the existing residential property constructed in the 1900s.A comprehensive set of architecture plans specified high quality elevations with a ‘classical’ Georgian-esque design. The sub-contractors, B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd, required Keystone’s brick slip flat gauge headers above multi-pane sash windows and an intelligent bespoke interconnecting brick slip splayed bay system across two floors on the side elevation.ChallengeThe design and scale of the building, along with the arrangement of fenestration and opening detailing, required the careful skill and use of sympathetic materials to ensure the development enhanced the special character of properties in close vicinity.B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd considered the volume of decorative window openings and availability of local skilled bricklayers when considering the most effective and efficient approach to the build schedule.SolutionAn offsite construction method was deployed by the sub-contractor. Keystone’s technical team were contacted to design brick slip flat gauge headers accommodating brick spans between 1135mm to 1472mm. Each with a 70-degree end skew, 375mm high face brick and 102mm soffit return whilst also incorporating keystone stone headers above specific windows. The prefabricated lintels improved the allocation of time and resources elsewhere on site allowing the build to be completed to a high interior specification still with an exterior full of character.The rigid symmetrical design and gracious classic proportions create a generous sense of space and natural light, with stunning traditional period features created above each window opening. The interconnecting brick slip splayed bay system spans 1695mm and provides a stark contrast to the boxy room profiles often seen with a Georgian home. This architectural feature accommodates the high ceilings and desired aesthetics whilst providing effective structural support to withstand roof and masonry loads above.A consignment of bricks was collected from site and each brick cut and bonded using a BBA approved construction adhesive to the load bearing lintels offsite. The patented perforated lintel design allows the adhesive to squeeze through the perforations and form a ‘mushroom’ on the inside, providing a mechanical lock between the steel lintel and the brick slips.Testimonial“For the new build Georgian styled home, we sourced over thirty bespoke prefabricated brick slip feature lintels from Keystone as well as a unique interconnecting feature brick splayed bay system. As a smaller building contractor, we saved time and money using Keystone Lintels. We did not need to source additional skilled labour on site to create and replicate the intricate brick detailing which included Keystone stone headers. Ultimately this resulted in a faster build schedule for the client.”Nirmal DhaliwalSite Manager at B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd

Award-winning global practice, WilkinsonEyre, specified bricks and brick slips from innovation-led manufacturer, Vandersanden, to emphasise the horizontal volumes and architectural context of the contemporary, new Graduate Centre at Queen Mary University in London. Zero®, a new brick system from Vandersanden, offers a contemporary joint-free appearance and was WilkinsonEyre’s material of choice for the external walls of this 80m-long, seven-storey ground-scraper. Instead of being pointed up to the face of the bricks, the mortar is set well back, with rainwater draining behind. The use of brick draws attention to the horizontality of the building’s volumes and blends with neighbouring buildings...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

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.At the heart of an emerging community in West Silvertown, the Oasis Academy is an all-inclusive secondary school for 600 students on a constrained .25-hectare site. Arranged as a multi-storey ‘superblock’, the building incorporates outdoor social space at different levels and a full-sized sports pitch on its roof.The warm white Perla brickwork and large openings relate to the existing and new residential properties and the monumental listed Silo D nearby. The building’s thick external walls are folded to provide a layered façade in response to the elements. A double-height colonnade to the North Woolwich Road acts as a visitor entrance and engenders a civic quality to the building while also allowing for generous pedestrian movement and a deep threshold between the public domain and secure school environment.The site is surrounded by a mix of red brick residential properties, derelict industrial land and vast stretches of master-planned residential and commercial properties. “We wanted the Academy to stand out from this landscape,” explains Éimear Murphy, associate director at Rivington Street Studio. “Vandersanden’s white Perla bricks give the building a monumental quality, highlighting that it’s for the community and is not an apartment block.”Taylor Maxwell, the brick supplier, suggested Vandersanden’s Perla brick for the project. “What we really liked about Perla is that it’s not only a white brick, with no variation in the colour, but it has quite a rustic, handmade texture that gives it a warm feel rather than a shiny and engineered surface finish,” says Murphy. There were various challenges to creating the brickwork details. The sharp angles associated with the brick fins on the side elevations meant there were a lot of brick specials so these were scheduled with plans drawn through the fins at every other course at the different levels. The contractor then cut the bricks to the schedule. This was made possible because the Perla bricks are exactly the same colour all the way through. For the canted reveals of the double-height colonnade to the main elevation, brick slip panels were used. Rivington Street Studio worked with the brick subcontractor to develop a bespoke detail and different mock-ups were trialled. The brick slips are seamless in appearance, matching with the full bricks used elsewhere. The canted reveals to the windows on the south elevation were envisioned through extensive 3D modelling and the Perla bricks again proved highly versatile during construction.To achieve a homogenous feel to the building, the mortar was matched to the brick. From a distance, the structure resembles a white cube but, as you get closer, the surface detail of the mortar joints and brick texture starts appearing. At different times of the day, the building’s appearance changes as patterns of light and shade move across the texture of the bricks. "The Vandersanden bricks are incredibly high quality and the through colour simplified the construction process because the bricks could simply be cut to suit the building’s geometry, enthuses Murphy. “Another important factor was the excellent consistency of the batches as this was essential to achieving the building’s monolithic, one-colour look.” 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' linkProject photography Simon Kennedy & Rachel Ferriman

Factory fixed brick slip cladding to sheltered housing project

Bourne Estate is a Grade II listed building in the London Borough of Camden. The perimeter blocks face Clerkenwell Road, Leather Lane and Portpool Lane forming a strong uniformed frontage. Its spatial character is inward facing, with interior blocks detached and positioned in parallel rows with several areas of open space. Matthew Lloyd Architects plans were granted permission for the redevelopment of Bourne Estate. The scheme included the demolition and provision of 75 mixed tenure homes, with improved public realm and open spaces. Higgins Construction completed the £19.0m residential project using IG lintels bespoke flat gauge brick slip feature lintels.Challenge:Bourne Estate is an example of early London City Council residential housing estates built in the 1900’s. Matthew Lloyd Architects in partnership with Higgins Construction wanted to respond to the original architecture of the buildings, consisting of fine brick detailing, by emulating the pride and care shown in the old design within the new housing architecture plans. Planning permission stipulated for all materials and characteristics of the area to be retained and kept in good repair or replicated where no other alternatives are available.Solution:IG’s technical engineer designed 215mm high flat gauge brick slip feature lintels accommodating a series of brick spans; 910mm, 1360mm, 1472mm and 1585mm. All bricks were cut and bonded offsite onto the load bearing lintels.A consignment of bricks were collected from site to guarantee both quality and reliability in matching the surrounding brickwork. The ceramic bricks were carefully cut in a mitre fashion to conceal the red clay finish underneath and ensure that the ceramic finish on the mitre did not splinter which minimalised brick wastage. All the bricks cut were bonded in a rowlock pattern using BBA approved construction adhesive in a controlled environment without disruption from the natural weather. Each prefabricated single piece unit was delivered in line with the build schedule onsite. This reduced health and safety concerns by eliminating the requirement for skilled labour working from height for a prolonged period of time in a busy London area.Encompassing both buildings and landscape, the redevelopment strengthens the character of the conservation area through its careful design, by paying attention to the articulation of the facades. The contrasting brick types used on the project add to the new design creating pleasing views clearly defining key routes and boundaries.

Barbican House shows that you can take a structure with an old and tired facade, and bring it into the new millennium by adding a contemporary rainscreen, combining both modern and traditional materials.The FastClad brick slip element was manufactured using a mix of red/brown and grey Petersen bricks supplied by European Building Materials, delivered to site and installed by the main contractor.Working closely with Marek Wojciechowski Architects, the brick slip rainscreen integrates with the metal rainscreens and windows to create a stunning new facade to what is now a high end residential and commercial development

The development, designed by architect Allies & Morrison, features six mixed-use blocks, including the UK’s tallest residential brick tower. The articulation of the brickwork and terracotta penthouses creates a unique character while referencing the site’s context and industrial heritage.Phase one, featuring two mansion blocks facing onto South Lambeth Road and affordable duplex maisonettes along Wyvill Road, required our Welded Masonry Support, B.O.S.S. A1 (Brick on Soffit System), and Brick Slip Lintels. Our B.O.S.S. A1, which bolts directly to our Welded Masonry Support, helped deliver speed of construction for the large development and, ultimately, the architect’s vision of stepped window heads, adding visual depth to the façade.Phase two consisted of three additional blocks, for which we designed and manufactured our Welded Masonry Support, B.O.S.S., and striking Brick Slip Arches.The corbelled crown details on Block F feature at its highest level and were achieved using our B.O.S.S. A1 fire-rated system.Block E, home to Wyvil Primary School, features a series of our Brick Slip Arches, which play a significant role in the final façade while complementing the original Victorian building.We were chosen as the supply partner for each block in phases one and two due to our reputation and ability to supply high-quality masonry support and brick slip products to large-scale, complex developments.

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.

Choosing the right brick is an important decision. To offer even more choice, brick manufacturer Vandersanden is expanding their range with 10 new colours, delivering a wide choice of finishes and textures. The growth of Vandersanden’s range makes it even easier for building professionals to find the right aesthetic solution for their projects. Innovative brick design, trend-led colours and manufacturing techniques are continuing to transform the design possibilities available. Darren White, UK Sales Director for Vandersanden comments: "With our growing choice of brick options, we want to respond to the latest colour trends, but to also offer specifiers a beautiful look for their facade designs. That's why we offer a wide range of colours and textures, in different price ranges, so there is a perfect option for every project.”Waterstruck: A unique textureWaterstruck bricks have a unique texture as a result of the use of water within the moulding and demoulding process    The clay is not rolled through sand and is instead pressed into a wet mould. When the formed clay is removed from the mould, the water runs along the surface of the brick, giving it its typical surface texture. Vandersanden’s waterstruck collection is more comprehensive than ever before with 5 new colours including:·        Gitan; a rich, multi-shade soft red with brown tones·        Bardo; a deep, single colour red for a bold finish·        Espen; a single colour sandy yellow with beige tones for a mellow result·        Klara; a multi shade yellow with nuanced grey and white tones·        Old Hammerton; a characterful multi-coloured red brick with brown, purple, grey and anthracite tones that’s ideal for recreating the look of a reclaimed brick, due to the bricks being tumbled after firing.Specifiers now have even more choice from this balanced collection, with strong new colours that offer striking visual impact.New stock bricks: characterful colours There are five new arrivals in Vandersanden’s Handform brick range, including:·        Tigra; a versatile multi shade brick with a white based and brown, grey tones delivering a contemporary look·        Lambertus; a characterful multi shade red brick, with tones of brown, white and beige·        Midis; a contemporary beige multi-shade brick, with hints of white and grey·        Marga; a stylish single colour grey brick with beige and white tones·        Sexton Fiesta; a multi-shade yellow brick, with white and grey for a nuanced finish In addition, all Vandersanden bricks come with a 25-year guarantee against gypsum efflorescence, ensuring long-lasting, sustainably attractive facades. Darren White continues: “Our new brick collection offers versatile, attractive and sustainable solutions for specifiers looking for the right product for their project. Vandersanden bricks ensure not only technical performance but also an authentic character and aesthetic result, to meet the design vision of our customers.”Innovation as a driving force The inspiring new colours - which will be available as both bricks and brick slips – reflect Vandersanden’s reputation for innovation in the brick sector. Vandersanden recently launched Pirrouet®, a new CO2-negative facing brick, a groundbreaking innovation which is part of Vandersanden’s Together to Zero roadmap, which reinforces the brand’s movement toward CO2 neutrality by 2050. For more information on Vandersanden’s new colour range, visit the Vandersanden website here.

Brick manufacturer Vandersanden, recognised for its innovation, sustainability and craftsmanship, has announced that its NEW RIBA certified CPD #7 ‘Brick: Circularity, Sustainability & Innovation’ is now available to architects and all construction professionals. This essential new training tool comes under the RIBA core curriculum topics of ‘Design, Construction and Technology’ and ‘Sustainable Architecture’ and is the first RIBA certified CPD seminar focusing on bricks and sustainability.The latest addition to Vandersanden’s portfolio of CPD courses is focused on sustainability in the brick manufacturing sector. Vandersanden’s vision for a more sustainable construction industry is central to the brand’s ambitions, and their innovative ‘Together to Zero’ promise demonstrates the company’s commitment to being completely CO2 neutral by 2050.Mathew Davies, National Specification Manager for Vandersanden comments;“As a brand, we are committed to developing sustainable products, manufacturing processes and services which have a limited impact on the environment. So, we are thrilled to be able to add another highly informative RIBA certified CPD to our seminar series with a focus on sustainability. With the construction industry focused on achieving sustainability targets, this CPD is particularly timely. We hope not only to educate, but to inspire CPD attendees by outlining the path for a more sustainable construction industry, that the sector can achieve together.”This new seminar from Vandersanden is the first RIBA CPD certified seminar in the industry to explore the subject of brick and sustainability in detail. This seminar is designed to educate attendees on the following key topics:The processes involved in brick manufacture and how sustainability is addressed at each stage of production with renewable energy, heat recuperation and other measures.Why the brick industry is reducing use of clay and exploring alternative options such as eco brick slips, an innovation with an abundance of benefits.The end-of-life circularity of bricks and the possibilities for reuse and recycling.The incoming development of Carbon-negative bricks.The available documentation to be referred to when designing sustainable buildings.The importance of industry standards, health and safety, brick supply, management and handling.The CPD seminars from Vandersanden are an ideal opportunity for professionals to develop their knowledge base and strengthen their skill sets. This new RIBA certified CPD is the latest addition to Vandersanden’s portfolio of learning and development tools, aimed at architects and specifiers, helping to enhance their expertise and keep them updated on new trends, techniques and innovations in brick manufacturing.Register for this RIBA certified CPD here CPD – Continuing Professional Development | Vandersanden

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. 

Brick manufacturer Vandersanden is launching a new texture generator for its facing bricks and brick slips. With the new online tool, architects, property developers and consumers can design a facade by combining, among other things, different types of bricks and brick slips, colours, laying patterns and joint thicknesses.In total, the texture generator allows more than 1.1 million combinations to be created and compared. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, Vandersanden's texture generator displays the most detailed and realistic digital reproduction of a facade texture to date. The generated texture can be easily downloaded, including image folders and technical specifications.Maximising digital opportunitiesVandersanden has been focusing on the digitisation of its offering for some time. For several years, the company has been digitising various services for different customer groups. Knowledge sharing, inspiration and convenience for customers are central to this. The new texture generator is their very latest digital innovation."With the texture generator, we are making the most of the possibilities that the digital world offers, in order to better fulfil the present and future needs of our customers. The texture generator is an endless source of inspiration for both professionals and consumers. Professionals can visualise their projects realistically in a simple way, because the texture can easily be integrated into drawing programmes", says Nathali Donatz, Group Marketing Director at Vandersanden. "With the texture generator, we make it easy for professionals and consumers to design the perfect facade and by doing so, strengthen our role as the partner for creating beautiful facades."Lifelike visualisationsWhereas most texture generators on the market make visualisations based on photography, Vandersanden embraces a new technology, namely photogrammetry. This technology enables a digital 3D image of a brick, and in a later phase also of clay pavers, to be created by means of an extensive set of photos.As a result, products are displayed with a particularly high level of detail and 3D depth. The new technology also allows for greater scalability, which means that recurring patterns are virtually impossible. All this means that textures can be visualised in a particularly realistic and natural way. Vandersanden does not compromise on user-friendliness: the tool is very simple and intuitive to use.Texture generator 2.0With its texture generator, the family business wants to go beyond the existing tools on the market."By using advanced technology, we are addressing gaps in existing texture generators. Current technology allows for less detailing and less flexibility, making textures more repetitive and artificial. With our texture generator, we want to provide customers with the most realistic image possible, so that they can perfectly imagine what their future facade will look like", says Nathali Donatz of Vandersanden.For more information and to try the texture generator visit Lifelike textures with the texture generator | Vandersanden

The StoTherm Mineral M insulation system, StoCleyer B brick slips and StoSilco external render have been installed on five buildings which make up the latest phases of the Riverside development in Canterbury.

Crown House, Barking, LondonThis project consisted of over 550,000 brick slips, including bespoke headers, pistols, and reveals. A choice of two brick types was selected for this project, both from our core range of products, the Mystique and the Rustington Antique.Client - Thorp precastBrick Types - Mystique, Rustington AntiqueProject timescale - 6 monthsConstruction Method - Pre Cast Concrete

Mecure HotelThis was a particularly sensitive project due to the central location of the site in Oxford, we worked alongside the client and planners to find a suitable brick type which blended in sympathetically with the surrounding proerties.This was a new build project with bricks slip bonded directly onto fire-rated backing panels.Brick Type - Old English Buff MultiClient - Mecure HotelsContractor - Fern Plant Ltd

On the site of a former carpark next to a flyover, Kindred House has become a distinctive silhouette in the skyline of central Croydon.The build utilises over half a million bricks, consisting of Zircon, a white glazed brick and a brown brick, each chosen for their tone and colour variety, which helps create a sense of place and identity for the building.The building is characterised by brick reveals at a depth of three and a half bricks and provides a visual solidity that defines the character of the building.IG Masonry Support was the chosen supplier of masonry support and brick slip solutions for the award-winning project.SolutionIG Masonry Support’s easy-to-install Welded Masonry Support (WMS) was supplied in several variations, including special corner systems for each of the 24 levels of the building, including the parapet. Cast-in Channel was also supplied to the project, providing high adjustability and enabling quick and easy installation of the WMS systems.For the large entrance on the North West elevation, a mechanically-fixed Brick Slip Lintel, compliant with the new Fire Safety: Approved Document B of the Building Regulations, was supplied for a 2035mm opening. The Brick Slip Lintel was designed to suit a soldier course bond pattern with a face height and soffit return of 215mm.For the three brick-deep window reveals, mechanically-fixed B.O.S.S. (Brick on Soffit System) proved the ideal solution. 1242 individual units, in 593 variations were designed, manufactured, and supplied to the project to suit a soldier course bond pattern. A consignment of bricks was collected from site to be utilised on each unit and then once complete, units were delivered to the site, ready to be easily bolted to each Welded Masonry Support system.As well as creating a visually appealing finish, the depth of the window reveals on the Southern and Western elevations has been designed to provide inherent solar shading, mitigating overheating and avoiding the need for mechanical cooling, creating a sustainable benefit of the build.Kindred House is an exemplary build proven by winning the Large Housing Development category at the 2023 Brick Development Association Brick Awards and being shortlisted in the Mixed-Use category at the 2023 AJ Architecture Awards. 

Starboard Hotels and Maith Architects invited Licata Building Systems and Licata contracting partner Build-Therm Services Limited to assist with the redevelopment of the previous Park Royal bar to provide a 162-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel. The original building, lying vacant and in a state of disrepair, has a listed Art Deco façade, which has been retained and refurbished to its former glory, with the new hotel being built in behind and wrapped over with new, substantially glazed floors and Licata FireSafe Brick Slip system. Completed in 2018, the system comprised of 160mm high density mineral fibre, comfortably achieving the target U Value of 0.04W/mK. The brick slips were selected and cut from handformed clay to match the original building.

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

When the refurbishment programme for an office block close to London’s Euston station was hit by an unexpected snag, the main contractors found an effective solution to keep the project on track.Brick-effect interior walls give office new lease of lifeThe building at 24-32 Stephenson Way was built in 1993 from reinforced concrete and last renovated in 2016. Construction firm Bryen & Langley was appointed as main contractor for the project, refurbishing the building’s second, third and fourth floors and adding a 5th floor. With the client seeking an exposed brick finish, old plaster had been removed from the internal walls, exposing a rough, uneven surface underneath. This meant a layer of plasterboard had to be added before the chosen finish could be applied.The cost of traditional brick slips made them an unappealing option so the client team sought an alternative. The company was impressed by the realistic brick finish of weberwall brick, a brick slip alternative from Saint-Gobain Weber, and specified it for the internal walls on all three floors. To complement the existing colour scheme, they chose 830m2 of weberwall brick in Antique Red Multi with pointing mortar in Buff. It was combined with exposed pipework at ceiling level to create a contemporary industrial look.“Our client was very keen for the offices to have on-trend exposed brick walls so I was happy to learn that weberwall brick could be used successfully on internal walls to create the appearance of traditional bricks.”Kyle Wall of Bryen & Langley is pleased with the results: “Our client was very keen for the offices to have on-trend exposed brick walls so I was happy to learn that weberwall brick could be used successfully on internal walls to create the appearance of traditional bricks.”Experienced applicator Complete Rendering Systems (CRS) was tasked with applying the product. Whether for external or internal use, weberwall brick is more than three times faster to apply than traditional brick slips and remarkably lightweight. (One sheet of 20 bricks weighs the same as one house brick).All the walls were prepared by the main contractor to create a sound, even surface to ensure the application of the weberwall brick went without a hitch.Bradley Halls, director of CRS, said: “I’ve used weberwall brick on external walls many times before and customers have always been really pleased with the high-quality outcome. Once plasterboard had been applied to the substrate, the weberwall brick went on quickly and provided the client with the brick finish they wanted.”“I’ve used weberwall brick on external walls many times before and customers have always been really pleased with the high-quality outcome"

In the course of the restructuring and refurbishment of a multi-storey library tower (MST) for the School of Law and the linkage of the tower to the adjacent Peter Froggatt Centre (PFC) to form a new student hub at Queen’s University in Belfast, the architects TODD decided to use Wienerberger’s Lincoln Red brick to tie the scheme into its surroundings. Generally, the brick was laid traditionally, but brick slips secured to a proprietary backing board were also used to form soffits and glazed into the curtain walling on the PFC façade.

.THE PROJECTA mixture of 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments, the apartments come in all shapes and sizes: with courtyard or city views, private balconies or terraces.Stofix utilised mast climbers instead of traditional scaffolding which meant less manpower was required to keep project costs down.PROJECT CHALLENGESThe site is in the city centre, therefore, space was limited. Due to the fact Stofix was manufactured off-site meant that the limited space was not an issue for us. Our pre-fabricated brick slip cladding panels meant we could ensure product quality and consistency as well as making sure the project ran to schedule.Covid-19 caused numerous issues, from the availability of building materials to labour shortages. There were also issues with high winds as the building site was closely situated to the Bristol Channel.Find out more about the benefits of brick slip cladding.

With several stops marked out on the future Crossrail route, new-builds on the rise, and an impressive range of ‘Outstanding’ schools, this culturally diverse borough of Ealing is becoming more popular than ever. To meet this popularity new-build property is on the rise however there is strict guidance on design of new buildings. Licata Building Systems in partnership with Build-Therm Services Limited were commissioned to specify and supply the façade systems for The Vale apartments. A prestigious block on Connell Crescent, The Vale was subject to planning guidance that insisted the block remained in-keeping with the more traditional neighboring blocks. The system installed is Licata FireSafe Brick slips. Using a 7mm extruded brick slip the system is one of the lighest systems available on the market. Coupled with class A2 fire performance and a U-value of 0.039W/mK, the apartments not only met all NHBC and local planning design criteria but provides the occupant a safe and energy efficient environment.

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

This mixed use development on the southern fringes of the Olympic Park utilised the Nexus® system to achieve flawless brick-faced soffits to the hundreds of door and window heads. Nexus is a two-part brick soffit system that combine a high integrity stainless steel brickwork support system with custom-designed prefabricated brick faced soffit units. Being 70% lighter than traditional cast concrete solutions, the Nexus soffit system is simply lifted and bolted into position by hand and, as the brick slip facing is manufactured from the same batch as the main brickwork, presents a perfect colour and texture match for flawless transitions.

Vandersanden has launched a new online interactive Inspiration Guide ‘Sustainably Attractive Facades'. The specially curated brochure has been designed to both inspire and inform architects about the variety of bricks that Vandersanden offers and their potential to elevate any architectural project.  Mathew Davies, National Specification Manager Vandersanden UK comments: “We wanted to create an indispensable reference tool for architects to deliver not only essential information about the numerous brick finishes and styles that Vandersanden offers, but to share inspiration from some of the outstanding projects that feature our bricks. The brochure offers a comprehensive guide to all our brick shapes, sizes and colourways. We’re confident we have a product that’s suitable for all types of facades and every architect’s vision.” Specifier CollectionsThe guide offers a curated preview of Vandersanden’s wide range of solutions for specifiers, offering insights into the extensive choice of brick types; from hand-formed to wirecut bricks and beyond. Architects will also be able to learn more about the inspiring colour range of bricks available, including bright whites, contemporary greys, bold blacks, rustic reds, soft buffs/yellows and creative pastels.  Project InspirationThe new Inspiration Guide provides architects with inspiration from an impressive range of projects that have featured Vandersanden’s bricks, in all colours and textures. Specifiers can learn from the architects of the award-winning tranquil Spa at South Lodge or the outstanding City Law School, which seamlessly combines both traditional and contemporary architecture. Whether the project requires bricks of a more rich and rustic aesthetic, or a crisp and contemporary finish, Vandersanden can bring to life any architect’s creative vision.Focus on SustainabilityThe new Inspiration Guide also offers insights into Vandersanden’s commitment to sustainability and its drive to develop sustainable products, manufacturing processes and services which have a limited impact on the environment and ecosystem. The company shares an overview of its efforts and results in terms of sustainability and the past year’s performance shows that Vandersanden is on the right track towards CO2-neutrality by 2050. On-going Innovation & DevelopmentVandersanden is a company that continually innovates and this new guide aims to share some of the latest innovations that the company has launched. These include the new Texture Generator, an online tool which enables architects, property developers and other specifiers, to design a facade by combining, different types of bricks and brick slips, colours, laying patterns and joint thicknesses. In total, the texture generator allows more than 1.1 million combinations to be created and compared. The new Inspiration Guide also includes a summary of Vandersanden’s engaging and informative CPD webinars. 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. Created by a team of Vandersanden’s expert professionals, the guide offers an invaluable digital tool to assist specifiers throughout the whole architectural process. Request your copy of ‘Sustainably Attractive Facades', here Request your Inspiration Guide | Vandersanden

Regent’s Park Regeneration is a £72m development which has seen the creation of 122 affordable new homes and community facilities in Camden, north-west London.The scheme, on behalf of Camden Council, followed the demolition of housing and businesses in the area to make way for the High Speed 2 rail link between London and the West Midlands. As a result, Lovell Homes London, in conjunction with architects Ingleton Wood, was selected to deliver the new homes across eight sites within the existing estate. The one-to-five-bedroom apartments are situated in an inner-city location with buildings ranging from three-to-eleven storeys in height.ChallengeEach building within the Regent’s Park Regeneration presented a slightly different challenge, with the brick elements playing a vital role in fulfilling the architect’s vision for each of the blocks.Various brickwork features in an array of bespoke designs were required for the exterior of the blocks. Traditionally, achieving these features requires skilled labour cutting bricks onsite, a time-consuming process which IG Masonry Support’s offsite manufacture of bespoke, pre-fabricated brick slip components helped to significantly speed-up.SolutionThe intricate brick detail achieved at the Regent’s Park Regeneration project highlights the design versatility of IG’s offsite brick slip solutions.The company worked with the architect from an early stage to design effective offsite solutions which enabled the project’s complex brick details to be achieved across the eight buildings; Cape of Good Hope, Newlands, Rydal Water, Robert Street, St Bede’s, Varndell, The Victory Pub and Dick Collins House.IG Masonry Support was challenged to supply brick slip soffit solutions, accommodating the range of different sized openings and soffit requirements throughout the development. A combination of Brick Slip Lintels and B.O.S.S. units capable of achieving both stretcher and soldier course bond patterns, were designed by IG’s technical team. These offsite units achieved the beautiful brick soffits over apartment block windows and openings on the various elevations of the buildings throughout the development.The Newlands and Rydal Water buildings presented complex brickwork elements that required IG’s technical team to design bespoke B.O.S.S. units to achieve the detailing specified within the architect’s designs. Beautiful brick soffits varying in depth from 102mm to 440mm feature over the balconies on every corner of these apartment blocks, as well as recess panels with 102mm brick soffits in a stretcher bond pattern on each elevation. A flying beam features on the upper level balconies of the Varndell building. This architectural detail, which has a 665mm soffit, was also achieved using bespoke-designed B.O.S.S. units. IG Masonry Support’s precise, prefabricated solutions manufactured using a consignment of bricks from site, blended seamlessly within the buildings’ eye-catching exterior.From design stage to delivery, IG Masonry Support worked alongside the contractor and the architect to deliver complex brickwork elements that formed an integral part of the design of the buildings. The result is a stunning, modern inner-city housing development which has not only been shortlisted for a host of industry honours including the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence, New London Architecture Awards, and RICS Social Impact Awards; it’s provided new homes and peace of mind for hundreds of residents whose domestic lives were transformed by the government’s ambitious rail project.

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.

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.

Leading sustainable timber frame house manufacturer, Scandia-Hus, and brick innovator, Vandersanden, have reached another significant landmark in their decade long partnership with the completion of The Mulberry, a new show home at the company’s HQ in East Grinstead.The Mulberry is a 3-bedroom chalet bungalow that successfully blends the traditional with the contemporary in a bold new design created for the UK self-build market. The rear of The Mulberry features an attractive modern aesthetic with large-glazed spaces in the form of bi-fold doors and a bespoke shaped unit, both edged in grey aluminium frames.The front elevation is more traditional in appearance with a clay tile roof and cream cottage look windows. The entire timber-frame house is clad with the Hailsham Mixture brick from Vandersanden, providing a deep warmth, colour and texture to the design of The Mulberry.Inside the property, Vandersanden’s dark Midnight Blue brick slips have been used to create an attractive, internal feature wall to provide further design inspiration to visitors.The Hailsham Mixture is a multi-coloured facing brick from the extensive Vandersanden range, featuring a combination of brown, black and yellow tones over an orange base colour.These attractive hues are achieved through the use of specific sand types in the surface covering and, together with the sanded texture of this hand-formed brick, create a rich and characterful narrative that perfectly suits The Mulberry.In The Mulberry, the Vandersanden bricks are laid in a stretcher bond, an approach that requires minimal brick cutting to reduce waste and increase material and build efficiency. This pattern is created by stacking bricks with the stretcher side facing out and the vertical joins on each course central to the bricks in the courses above and below.“We are proud to unveil The Mulberry as our latest completed show home at our East Grinstead HQ,” comments Jeannette Cooper, Scandia-Hus’s Product Research & Site Co-ordination Manager:“The Hailsham Mixture brick is a critical element in realising our design vision on this project which is a fitting way to mark our ten-year partnership with Vandersanden. As a brand, Vandersanden provides a wide choice of high-quality innovative and sustainable bricks which is backed by exceptional support in the way that they present their bricks and provide inspiration to our customers. These are the reasons we value our partnership and explains why we have worked so closely with them on so many projects and Scandia-Hus show homes over the years.”She adds:“Ultimately, Scandia-Hus and Vandersanden share the same goals – the creation of enduringly beautiful homes for our customers that are built with superior quality materials and show an exceptional standard of finish.”Renowned for its Scandinavian style energy-saving homes, Scandia-Hus offers a complete, fully flexible bespoke design service to its customers. Designs, such as The Mulberry, can be tailored to suit different tastes, plot and spatial considerations as well as personal lifestyle needs.Many customers begin the process with a Scandia-Hus design and collaborate with the company’s in-house architectural designers to create the property of their dreams.For more information on the Hailsham Mixture, Midnight Blue and the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, visit the Vandersanden website.For more information about Scandia-Hus, please visit their website www.scandia-hus.co.uk, or come along to the Open Day on Saturday 19th March to view the new show home.

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.