DESIGN GUIDE
USING BRICK CREATIVELY
Think brick’s simply a traditional, one-dimensional solution? Think again. Opinder Liddar sets out the innovative ways you can use it in your next project
Building materials have, historically, played a significant part in establishing an area’s character. The use of vernacular materials such as brick – especially important in UK architecture – still has the power to connect a building to its place. As villages, towns and cities develop, innovative use of similar products can create distinctive yet sympathetic settings.
The versatility of brick makes it a very popular material; one which can be used in many different ways to create appealing interest and details in buildings. Examples both old and new are so popular that they are envied around the world. Good design, combined with a good understanding of how to use this material, can make brick an intrinsic part of a home’s aesthetic. But just because a material has been in use for hundreds or thousands of years, does not mean that your building has to be a pastiche of the old. In fact, brick can be used in wholly contemporary ways.
Designed by Napier Clarke Architects (www.napierclarke.co.uk) and winner of Best Individual House at the 2022 Brick Awards, this new build family home is a clever update on the local vernacular. Brick plays a huge part in the architecture – with Henley red by Charnwood (a Michelmersh brand) enveloping the fi rst fl oor, which cantilevers out over the timber-clad ground fl oor. This helps to reduce the overall scale of the building, while providing a permanent overhang and shading. Projecting brick headers create a playful fi nish that changes with the light, while a barcode of vertical brick fi ns complements the pattern of sleek modern glazing
This article aims to focus your attention upon brick as a building material and to showcase the many ways in which it can be used as a vehicle to realise your own dream home. I want to demonstrate that brick is still relevant and inspire you to use this material in your own self build project to create unique designs that you can be proud of.