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Corobrik paves the way
on 13 Jul

Corobrik scores big for World Cup
on 07 Jun

Gauteng Architectural Student of the Year
on 02 Mar

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Clay Brick - for now and forever
Optimisation is a vital part of contemporary urban design. Creating beautiful living, working and environmental spaces is one thing, but to manufacture building materials for beautiful designs within confined budget parameters, is another. Clay brick is as economical as it is durable. This is true over the long term as well as in the immediate short-term when taking costs involved in construction into consideration. And because it is a durable, sustainable product it doesn’t need endless amounts of cosmetic care to keep it maintained. For centuries, clay brick has benchmarked itself as the leading and most desirable building material, having been shaped by the dominant building styles and design trends popular at any given time. Its endurance is in large part due to its timeless aesthetic ability to blend effortlessly into any environmental landscape. In fact, the appearance of clay bricks actually improves with age as their natural hues take on the patina of wind, rain, sun and other climatic conditions. The versatility of brick as a construction medium extends to other important considerations such as structural strength, insulation and versatility. The increase in present day road and pedestrian traffic and higher building densities necessitates building materials that factor in environmental stressors to create more stable living and working conditions. The supreme performance of clay brick as a building material depends on good design and standard of workmanship. The kind of mortar, bond and joint detail will ultimately affect the overall design and durability of the building structure. Good bonding is required to strengthen and stabilise a brick wall so as to carry vertical and horizontal loads. Therefore it is essential for the correct mortar mixes to be applied. Three bonds that can be used in contemporary construction are Stretcher, English and Flemish Bond. The variations in these come down to the composition of alternate layers of stretcher and header courses. The appearance of face brickwork often pivots on the joint pattern, so the selection of bond and jointing usually yields to the visual impact desired. Bonds that produce definite patterns on a large scale are ideal for large areas of uninterrupted wall faces. In many circumstances a preference of bond pattern and joint colour used with appropriate bricks may be all the inspiration a designer needs. In other instances brick can be combined with other building elements for dramatic and impactful effects. Clay bricks have an organic ability to blend into any landscape or surround. This is partly due to the natural colours and textures that derive during the manufacturing process, resulting in smooth faced, rustic, wire-cut or sand faced bricks. When planning a building development however, brick joint shape should be noted as this can play a considerable part in determining wall texture. Different effects are achieved through variations in flush, shaped and recessed joints. Shadows are often formed from recessed joints, and these become most noticeable with light colour bricks and horizontal joints, affecting the overall appearance. This is where experience together with the highest standards of craftsmanship merge to complement the creativity of building with clay brick. The different hues of clay brick are extensive and like the texture, may be modified by other factors in construction. The natural colours of the brick range from light cream to deep yellow and from pink to dark reds and browns, even dark blue-black. Often the firing process produces some variation in colour, which is why early planning is critical and batch purchasing is advised for any project. The overall colour effect might be mediated by the elements of mortar and width jointing, and so continuity in both is integral to the overall design considerations. As a backing material, clay brickwork provides an ideal solution. If one considers the variety of fixings that a wall can support such as service pipes and doorframes, it becomes clear why a structurally solid material such as clay brick is useful. Because of the high densities created through compaction during manufacture, the load-bearing ability of clay brick combined with its functionality as a base onto which plaster can be applied, means that it can be adapted to the needs of ever-changing building requirements. Clay bricks are produced in standard shapes and forms and can also be manufactured for specific requirements. These are often referred to as “specials”, with splayed or rounded edges, ideal for landscape design. Outdoor spaces are an extension of homes and their surrounds and new aesthetics are increasingly cognisant of this. Buildings by their nature are planned to last for decades and should be built with longevity in mind. To develop a structure for the next generation, requires consideration of, at the very least, the weather-resisting skin of the building. Materials that are self-maintaining and preserve their original beauty whilst standing strong against inclement climatic variations are naturally the better choice. Contemporary living has shifted to trends that integrate buildings harmoniously into surrounding landscapes, offering a respite from the noise and bustle of life. Changes in awareness of our environment and lifestyles have shown a trend towards simplifying our lives for quality and comfort. This kind of approach lays the foundation for construction in natural rather than synthetic materials, and here again clay brick provides an enduring solution.
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Posted by 07 Sep

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