Brick – a simple, common building material that we see almost everywhere around us has been in use since around 7000 BC. This timeless material has periodically been used in various ways; such as a structural member, an aesthetic element, to Accenture walls, or simply as an installment. Available in various types and colors, one of its most common forms is – Red brick housing.
“Bricks to me are like faces. All of them are made of burnt mud, but they vary slightly in shape and color.” – Laurie Baker.
As the name suggests, Red brick housing can be defined as a structure that is made out of exposed red bricks. In this type of housing, the typical red bricks are used for construction and they are kept exposed without covering with any external coating such as plaster or paint. Red brick construction is an ancient method that has been in use for building stronger structures for ages.
A material that dates back to that of architecture itself, red brick has a history of its own. Architects nowadays use red bricks in housing projects not only for their easy availability and durability but to accentuate walls and to ‘define’ a structure in its surroundings. The material has been widely used as a sustainable product across the world.
We see red brick housing around almost every corner; and here are a few examples of red brick housing that architecturally amazed both the users and viewers:
1. Brick house, Wada by iStudio architecture | Red Brick Housing
The brick house, Wada is a farmhouse designed by iStudio architecture near Mumbai, within hills and farms. Going with the ‘organic’ design, the house ‘flows’ from the ground to the skyline in curves and dips.
The idea of ‘fluidity’ can be seen around the house everywhere as the walls follow curves more than typical straight-angled walls. All of which lead to the central courtyard.
Two massive brick and stone arches dominate the space at the house’s entrance. Through brick screening, light falls on the central water body, creating a small play of light. All the rooms are planned as per the viewing points. Cross ventilation and climatology are considered when planning openings.
Inspired by Ar. Laurie Baker, a play in terms of brick use is experienced throughout the house. Common principles from Ar. Laurie Baker’s designs, such as a rat-trap bond, filler slabs, brick jalis, and use of local materials make the house not only aesthetically pleasing but also cost-effective and eco-friendly.
2. Brick house by Architecture Paradigm
This house located in Mysuru, India is designed by the architect firm ‘Architectural paradigm.’ The architect designed the plan in an L-shape form, segregating the private and public spaces. The shorter arm (East-West direction) houses public spaces while the long arm (North-South direction) over two levels houses the private spaces.
The basic idea of the design is “chance encounter”; the house has a private courtyard, around which the house functions, and an outdoor space that also serves as a pleasure garden. The different scales of the spaces and the use of different materials play with the visual impact on the user. The architects have carefully used the two different materials throughout the structure to create a visual break.
Brick walls, floors, screens, and vaults define the spaces and give a sense of warmth, while privacy screens are made of structural steel.
The slender, flexible flat steel in combination with the stiff brick spacers results in different, unique surface textures.
3. Omah boto by Andyrahman Architect | Red Brick Housing
Omah boto, as the name translates to ‘Brick House’ located near the Pari temple, East Java is designed with the theme of Indonesian vibes as requested by the client. The idea of Omah boto was inspired by the temple built around the Majapahit kingdom era. The team worked hand in hand with the craftsmen from Trowulan village that have been carrying forward the legacy of materials and manufacturing techniques.
In addition to the red bricks, bamboo, wood, and rattan are also used to enhance the genuine Indonesian character. The red bricks become the main element of the house, like “a gene or a cell”, as the designers describe it. The main structure of the house focuses on brick masonry, which is permeable to light and air.
From the entrance to the prayer room to the vertical garden inside and on each floor, the designers have used Jali brick masonry not only to play with light and shadow; but also to provide a visual break for the users.
4. The pirouette house by wallmakers
This brick dwelling in Kerala was designed by Wallmakers, which is inspired by the masterpieces of Ar. Laurie Baker. Keeping the basic principles of the “brick genius” in mind, the house features the “last of the Mohicans” fired bricks that embellish the space with the pure geometry and patterns created by the walls that seem to be pirouetting.
Rat trap bond- one of the most important and beautiful masonry techniques of Ar. Laurie Baker can be seen throughout the house.
The house sits on a small 196-square-foot lot that is enclosed on all four sides by other residential projects. Nevertheless, the designers have integrated the use of brick into walls and screens in such a way that the interior does not seem small or cramped.
The core idea of the residence was to have an inward-facing house with all the spaces opening into a central courtyard.
The principle of discarding nothing as ‘waste’ was followed throughout. The scaffolding pipes from the construction stage were reused as a central staircase and grillwork, along with the wooden planks. Cane was used around the grillwork and stairs for privacy and aesthetics
5. Casa Do Lago – The Lake House by Solo Arquitetos | Red Brick Housing
Built in Alvorada Do Sul, Brazil, close to the Paranapanema river, The Lake house was designed as an exploration of the relationship between nature and architecture.
With the site being a long land parcel of undulating surfaces and the lake at the very end, the designers were challenged based on their creativity. The designers planned the house in L- shape separating the private and public spaces. The private spaces are easily accessible by the main street whereas the public spaces open toward the garden and the lake.
Both the units of the house are designed with locally available materials. The private section is made with Red stones left during the excavation. The public section of the house is made with ‘repurposed brick’ acquired from the users’ demolished old factory.
The rooms that open onto the lake are painted white to brighten the decor.
The designers have introduced a perfect getaway house by incorporating exposed brick walls, textured rugs, and wooden furniture allowing the house to be warm and welcoming.
6. Palasvada Residence by Tushar Parikh and associates
Located in Gujrat, sharing the compound wall with a regional railway line, the Palasvada residence alone was a design challenge. The design focuses on using locally available materials with the brief to design a vacation house that connects with nature and the earthy elements/ vegetation around the site
The elements in design include shading glasses, vertical surfaces, and a multi-layered roof with no concrete for better insulation.
Keeping the hot and dry climate in mind, the designers incorporated a central courtyard and verandas into the design to ensure the indoor-outdoor connection.
7. Arcadia by Breathe architecture
Arcadia is a multi-residential complex designed by Breathe architecture in collaboration with DKO architecture and Oculus. Located in Alexandria, NSW, Aradia was redesigned on land that housed the NSW Brickworks company.
Arcadia is a well-thought-out housing project that, in addition to being environmentally and socially sustainable, is also a reminder of the past. The designers have carefully reused nearly half a million recycled bricks paying homage to clay quarries and brick factories that have stood here in centuries past.
The housing consists of 4 buildings accommodating four different communities. Each building in this residence is named after the Key brickmakers in the area. All four buildings have separate common spaces, productive gardens, and addresses; But one thing they all have in common is a rooftop that faces North.
Each lobby entrance has a distinct brickwork pattern. To the North and West, recycled bricks are articulated with solar shadings.
“Arcadia is about community and sustainability; it’s about memory and place; acknowledging its past, present, and future,” says the designers.
With the rooftop that covers 50% of the footprint, this project was completed in 2020 and has won 11 design and architecture awards for its use of materials, sustainability, and multiple housing.
8. Bardolph gardens by Breathe architecture | Red Brick Housing
Designed by Breathe architecture, Bardolph garden is an environmentally sustainable, affordable rental housing in Glen Iris, California. Resided between two existing bungalows, this structure consists of two single Storey dwelling units.
Working around the concept of sustainability, the designers have used the exposed brickwork to amplify the use of natural light.
The house features perforated brick screens along with exposed brick facades. In this way, the privacy of the user is maintained, while creating light, airy and comfortable interiors.
All the rooms face the landscaped garden. While the house achieves 8 points in sustainability because of its zero fossil fuel service
9. The brick kiln house
Located in a small village Munavali, near Alibaug, this house was designed as a gateway home. The land that previously was a grove of tamarind and mango trees, along with the Champa and Vad tree, was transformed into a dream country house.
Part of the house was 4 feet lower and was an unkempt rice paddy. But that only fueled the designers’ creativity and allowed them to create a design that welcomed nature into the home and became a part of the family.
In the spirit of “simplicity,” the plan consists of two rectangles that are at right angles to each other. The living room is the space that brings together the materials of the house and loosely encloses the vegetation around it.
The choice of brick was one of the most important decisions in the design. The color, the strength, and the “defaced handmade” texture of the brick became Key factors.
Unlike the other exposed brick homes, the designers carefully avoided making patterns or jalis with the red brick. Perhaps they just focused on using the brick as it is – “at rest, a stack, the mass that conceals and reveals the life inside” – says the designer.
The thickness of the brick keeps the interior spaces comfortably cool and the brick merges itself with the surrounding.
10. Termitary House by Tropical Space | Red Brick Housing
While humans are generally terrified of termites, this Vietnamese house takes its inspiration from them. This house designed by Tropical space is located in Da Nang, Vietnam. The external brickwork mimics the termite nest creating a beautiful facade and allowing a breathable, light-permeable interior for the user.
Along with the exposed brickwork, the designers have reused the wood from the former ceiling for making custom furniture.
The design is simple and focuses more on the play of light and shadows through the brick screens. The design focuses on the “rustic” theme of the house and provides an external gravel path along with a garden.
Perforated brick walls along with glass and aluminum allow the light into the house during daytime; but during nights, the house acts as a focal point in the neighborhood. The warm glow seeping through the brick openings creates a beautiful light and shadow play during both day and night.
11. Brickface by Austin Maynard Architects
Brickface is a compact building built in the backyard of an existing house in Richmond, Melbourne. As per the client’s requirements, a former garage that condensed the garden, Brickface, became a light, interesting, compact façade that was also functional.
The building comprises a garage at the ground level, a studio on the first level, and a garden on the rooftop. Although the spaces have a distinct function, the designers carefully designed them to be fluid as per client requirements. For example, the double-height garage can also be turned into living space; while the studio can also be used as a bedroom or an office, in the future.
Brickface is made out of recycled red bricks. With contrasting red and blue glazed bricks interspersing through them.
The openings on the building contradict the solid nature of the block, softening it in appearance.
12. DaB House by BAM Arquitectura
Located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, DaB house sets an example of a beautiful amalgamation between landscape and architecture. The primary concept of the design focuses on the perfect balance between materials, natural light, comfort, and nature.
The house is vertically divided into two spaces, the lower level being a public space – made of a concrete block; whereas the upper level becomes a private space made with exposed brick. The concrete base acts as a supporting element to the brick volume above.
Apart from the use of materials, the design focuses on the pattern of natural light and its impact on the mood of the interior space.
The house connects the inside with outdoor spaces through patios, terraces, and skylights.
Eco-friendly features such as a green roof, rainwater harvesting, and geothermal heating and cooling systems make the house sustainable in all aspects.
13. Entre Pinos by Taller Hector Barroso | Red Brick Housing
Entre Pinos is a housing complex of five weekend houses designed in a forested area in Valle De Bravo, Mexico.
Keeping its natural surroundings in mind, the designer tries to connect the buildings with nature and with each other. The 5 building blocks are completely made out of locally available bricks. What makes it unique is that the designer then covered the external walls with the soil during the excavation so that the structure blends naturally into its surrounding forested landscape.
Ar. Taller Barroso designed five symmetrical blocks, and each block has six different volumes that connect through a courtyard.
The blocks surrounded by pine trees get a view of the surroundings through glazing windows.
Using as few materials as possible; with bricks for structure, stones for floorings, and wood for the furniture, the designer has achieved the most minimal approach to design.
Entre Pinos received an AZ award in the ‘Best in Architecture – Residential Single Family Residential interiors’ category in 2018.
14. L House by AandD architects
A detached family home in Pangyo, Seongnam, Seoul gets its name from the owner whose surname is Mr. Lee. This building that stacks 11 levels is just 10 M tall.
The building consists of two rectangles intersecting each other with roofs angled in opposite directions.
The interior is divided into a series of split levels allowing them to perform different functions.
“These layers often overlap each other while creating a bridge between the gaps,” says the designer.
A central staircase connects all the levels giving a point of common area.
Since the interior is minimal contemporary as per client usage, the designers chose brick as the external design element to contrast; which also stands out proudly in its surroundings.
15. Tudor revival by Warc Studio | Red Brick Housing
Located in Balwyn, Melbourne, this project is a renovation of a two Storey Tudor Revival residence that originally was constructed during the interwar period.
The house has previously undergone several renovations which divided the house into two different segments. One being the main habitable area and the rear being the garden and pool. The design brief was to recreate the house to connect the interior with the rear garden.
The design reuses the existing asymmetrical design from the side of the house to the rear. Cutting an opening into the block and using it as an outdoor dining space. Thereby the two separate spaces were now interactive.
To keep the history of the design intact, the designers reused the bricks during reconstruction.
References:
“Bricks to me are like faces. All of them are made of burnt mud, but they vary slightly in shape and color.” – Thecrimsoncanvas.com. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.thecrimsoncanvas.com/post/dictator-of-design-laurie-baker> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 1 Arcadia: Breathe.com.au. 2022. Arkadia by Breathe. [online] Available at: <https://www.breathe.com.au/project/arkadia> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 2 The brick house Wada: Brickarchitecture.com. 2022. The Brick House / iSTUDIO architecture. [online] Available at: <https://brickarchitecture.com/projects/the-brick-house-istudio-architecture> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 3 Brick house, Architecture paradigm: 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.houzz.in/magazine/houzz-tour-this-mysore-home-is-a-unique-exploration-in-brickwork-stsetivw-vs~90040871> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 4 Omah Boto: ArchDaily. 2022. Omah Boto House / Andyrahman Architect. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/921631/omah-boto-house-andyrahman-architect> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 5 Pirouette house: WALLMAKERS. 2022. PIROUETTE HOUSE, Trivandrum — WALLMAKERS. [online] Available at: <https://www.wallmakers.org/pirouette-house-trivandrum> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 6 Bardolph gardens: Breathe.com.au. 2022. Bardolph Gardens by Breathe. [online] Available at: <https://www.breathe.com.au/project/bardolph-gardens> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 7 The brick Kiln house: ArchDaily. 2022. The Brick Kiln House / SPASM Design Architects. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/205425/the-brick-kiln-house-spasm-design-architects> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 8 Palasvada residence: ArchDaily. 2022. Palasvada Residence / Tushar Parikh and Associates. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/934702/palasvada-residence-tushar-parikh-and-associates> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 9 Termitary house: Gessato.com. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.gessato.com/vietnamese-home-with-termite-inspired-brickwork/> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 10 Casa Do Lago: Gessato.com. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.gessato.com/casa-do-lago/> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 11 Brickface: Gessato.com. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.gessato.com/exposed-brick-architecture-gems-brickface/> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Austin Maynard Architects. 2022. Austin Maynard Architects Sustainable Residential Architecture. [online] Available at: <https://maynardarchitects.com/#/viii/> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 12 DaB house: Gessato.com. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.gessato.com/dab-house/> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 13 Entre Pinos: Gessato.com. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.gessato.com/entre-pinos/> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 14 L house: Dezeen.com. 2022. Rooms in AandD’s L House are split across 11 levels. [online] Available at: <https://www.dezeen.com/2016/01/04/aandd-l-house-11-levels-staircase-pangyo-south-korea-red-brick/amp/> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
Topic 15 Tudor revival: Hunting for George | Home, Design and Lifestyle Inspiration. 2022. Tudor Revival | Warc Studio | Hunting for George. [online] Available at: <https://www.huntingforgeorge.com/blog/tudor-revival-warc-studio/> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
