Spotted! Designers Using Bricks in Creative Ways
Forget about solid brick feature walls. Here's how designers are using bricks in increasingly creative ways
Do you think of brick, and automatically think of solid but boring designs? It’s time to think again. Designers are increasingly using brick in creative and inspiring ways in interior spaces. Elizabeth McIntyre, CEO of Think Brick Australia, says: “The ways in which bricks are now used in interior design have come a long way in a short period of time. What was once seen as the common brick feature wall has expanded dramatically.” Here are some ways that designers and architects are experimenting with design techniques to create different interior shapes, textures and effects.
The bricks used in this courtyard are La Paloma – Miro by Austral Bricks.
The Beauty of Modern Interior Courtyards
The Beauty of Modern Interior Courtyards
A lighter shade of pale
The beautiful pale brick walls throughout this contemporary Sydney home show a combination of full-height and half-height blocks, the latter being finished with an angled mortar joint to create shadow-lines. At skirting level and in architraves, the blocks are polished to form a seamless boundary that is easy to keep clean. These units were also used in the kitchen splashback and in several feature walls through the property.
The beautiful pale brick walls throughout this contemporary Sydney home show a combination of full-height and half-height blocks, the latter being finished with an angled mortar joint to create shadow-lines. At skirting level and in architraves, the blocks are polished to form a seamless boundary that is easy to keep clean. These units were also used in the kitchen splashback and in several feature walls through the property.
Powerful patterning
Carlton Cloister, a Victorian terrace in Melbourne, features an immersive brick corridor that links living, working and play spaces. The corridor acts as an internal walkway with garden connections. The brick patterns along the corridor’s floor give the impression of small rooms along the corridor’s path.
Carlton Cloister, a Victorian terrace in Melbourne, features an immersive brick corridor that links living, working and play spaces. The corridor acts as an internal walkway with garden connections. The brick patterns along the corridor’s floor give the impression of small rooms along the corridor’s path.
As Milly Ladanyi, the Communications and Content Specialist at Brickworks says: “One trend currently strong in the design industry is brickwork and a sub trend of this is hit-and-miss brick walls. This is where either random or patterned bricks are missing from the wall, allowing a certain amount of light, ventilation and even visual views to pass through the wall. The benefit of hit-and-miss brick walls is that you can still have natural light and breezes passing through, while creating an eye-catching design element that opens up more furnishing options, creating a partition wall to abut furnishings against”.
Statement entrance
The Hello House in Richmond, Melbourne, features a distinctive ‘Hello’ brick wall, designed in collaboration with Melbourne artist Rose Nolan. “The thought was that we would contribute something to the surrounding ‘brickness and blockness’ of the area,” says architect Fooi-Ling Khoo of OOF! Architecture. The wall, representing the start of a conversation, greets the locals while also continuing the architectural story of the area.
Take a tour of the Hello House
The Hello House in Richmond, Melbourne, features a distinctive ‘Hello’ brick wall, designed in collaboration with Melbourne artist Rose Nolan. “The thought was that we would contribute something to the surrounding ‘brickness and blockness’ of the area,” says architect Fooi-Ling Khoo of OOF! Architecture. The wall, representing the start of a conversation, greets the locals while also continuing the architectural story of the area.
Take a tour of the Hello House
Form and function
Melbourne’s c3 Gallery showcases an expressive brick installation. Composed of radiating brick, the installation consists of three intersecting and interconnecting volumes that are structurally self-supporting and provide a table, bar and reception desk.
Melbourne’s c3 Gallery showcases an expressive brick installation. Composed of radiating brick, the installation consists of three intersecting and interconnecting volumes that are structurally self-supporting and provide a table, bar and reception desk.
All angles
‘The Empire’ display home in Perry Lakes, Western Australia, features a new take on the brick feature wall. Here, the laying of the wall bricks matches the parquetry of the timber flooring, creating interest and depth. It’s a lovely addition to this home, which embraces the aesthetics of mid-century design re-interpreted for a modern lifestyle.
‘The Empire’ display home in Perry Lakes, Western Australia, features a new take on the brick feature wall. Here, the laying of the wall bricks matches the parquetry of the timber flooring, creating interest and depth. It’s a lovely addition to this home, which embraces the aesthetics of mid-century design re-interpreted for a modern lifestyle.
Full of holes
Another brick feature wall that breaks from the mould is this striking Perth example by Klopper & Davis Architects. There’s no need for artwork in this space – the wall is a focal point all on its own…
Another brick feature wall that breaks from the mould is this striking Perth example by Klopper & Davis Architects. There’s no need for artwork in this space – the wall is a focal point all on its own…
… as is the case here, where a structural brick wall has been framed by cladding and used as a ‘canvas’ for a bookshelf vignette.
Browse more homes with exposed-brick walls
Browse more homes with exposed-brick walls
Sea breeze
A white-washed rustic brick feature wall suits the beachy vibe in this US home, while an oversized mirror and feature pendant light add a modern edge.
A white-washed rustic brick feature wall suits the beachy vibe in this US home, while an oversized mirror and feature pendant light add a modern edge.
Perfect pizzeria
In this Adelaide pizzeria by Genesin Studio, repeating brick patterns, fluted half-cut bricks, hand-bolstered, wet-sawn and hand-cut tiled fascia bricks create a monolithic and poetic space. The patterns were applied to the vaulted ceilings, floors, bench seats, planters and walls to sculpt the interior and create light and shadow.
In this Adelaide pizzeria by Genesin Studio, repeating brick patterns, fluted half-cut bricks, hand-bolstered, wet-sawn and hand-cut tiled fascia bricks create a monolithic and poetic space. The patterns were applied to the vaulted ceilings, floors, bench seats, planters and walls to sculpt the interior and create light and shadow.
The low-down
This contemporary Denver residence features brick in a more subtle way. The low brick wall behind the sofa helps divide up the space while keeping an open-plan feel.
This contemporary Denver residence features brick in a more subtle way. The low brick wall behind the sofa helps divide up the space while keeping an open-plan feel.
Just look up
The arched, vaulted ceilings in this Port Coogee home have been constructed using bricks that resemble traditional wire-cut and pressed products popular in the early-20th century. The precision-engineered bricks have a high enough thermal mass to eliminate the need for air conditioning in the home.
Tip: Bricks have many benefits besides their good looks. They’re low maintenance, strong, energy efficient and sustainable.
The arched, vaulted ceilings in this Port Coogee home have been constructed using bricks that resemble traditional wire-cut and pressed products popular in the early-20th century. The precision-engineered bricks have a high enough thermal mass to eliminate the need for air conditioning in the home.
Tip: Bricks have many benefits besides their good looks. They’re low maintenance, strong, energy efficient and sustainable.
Bricking it
In this Melbourne home, dubbed the House of Bricks, all of the red-brick walls have a pattern caused by offsetting every fourth brick.
In this Melbourne home, dubbed the House of Bricks, all of the red-brick walls have a pattern caused by offsetting every fourth brick.
In the same home, you can see the brick wall used as a splashback.
Off road
The vast brick wall in this New York bachelor pad is broken up by the quirky addition of a classic bicycle.
The vast brick wall in this New York bachelor pad is broken up by the quirky addition of a classic bicycle.
Painted on
Clever use of paint adds drama in this Singapore apartment. Traditional red brick on the left meets painted white on the right to utterly modern effect.
Clever use of paint adds drama in this Singapore apartment. Traditional red brick on the left meets painted white on the right to utterly modern effect.
Wonder wall
While the creative use of bricks is breathing new life into an age-old industry, there is nothing wrong with a simple brick feature wall done well. The New York example seen here is industrial style at its finest.
Tell us
Have you used bricks creatively in your home? Tell us how or post a picture in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like this story, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more contemporary homes
While the creative use of bricks is breathing new life into an age-old industry, there is nothing wrong with a simple brick feature wall done well. The New York example seen here is industrial style at its finest.
Tell us
Have you used bricks creatively in your home? Tell us how or post a picture in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like this story, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more contemporary homes
The Naranga Avenue House by James Russell Architect successfully blends indoor and outdoor living with a beautiful brick screen that lets in the coastal breeze, while also offering privacy and protection.