Period Bricks
Could these traditional building elements work for your home project? Anamika Talwaria investigates
design details
The intricate bird’s detailing on this new build is an example of a stunning feature created using heritage bricks. Tsiantar Architects designed this Victorianstyle home with brickwork to match other traditional properties in the area
Brickmaking is a timehonoured tradition in the UK. The material has been used for home building for hundreds of years and many properties nationwide retain their original facades. Thanks to the versatility of patterns and the different colours available, period bricks can add extra interest to a project. Plus, they aren’t necessarily limited to traditional-style buildings.
In the past, the UK had hundreds of brickworks that took their clay from local deposits. This produced units with distinct shades, textures and sizes, with clear regional identity. For example, the typical London brick colour is yellow, whereas versions from the midlands are normally red, due to the different components that exist in the clay.