Besser Blocks: 10 Creative Ideas That Really Stack Up
Cost-effective, durable ... and yes, even attractive, besser blocks can really make a home
Rebecca Gross
24 September 2014
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
On their own, besser blocks – you may have also heard them called cinder blocks and breeze blocks – really don’t look like much. But with some attention to detail, these rectangular concrete bricks can bring interesting visual and textural effects to the interior and exterior of your home at an affordable cost. And structurally, they are light, durable and insulating.
Besser blocks are predominantly supplied in standard grey, but are also available in a range of colours and textures, including replica sandstone which is perfect for blending with Australia’s natural landscape. Patterned or plain, decorative or structural, polished or textured, and with lighter or darker coloured grout, here are great ways besser blocks can be used in your home.
Besser blocks are predominantly supplied in standard grey, but are also available in a range of colours and textures, including replica sandstone which is perfect for blending with Australia’s natural landscape. Patterned or plain, decorative or structural, polished or textured, and with lighter or darker coloured grout, here are great ways besser blocks can be used in your home.
1. For the fence
Besser blocks can be used to complement the lines and shapes of your house, as in this modern home. The fence is made up of besser blocks stacked on their side so that the hollow interior creates a simple but effective geometric pattern. Grout – much lighter in colour than the besser blocks – adds extra visual effect and plays off the larger rectangular detail on the garage door.
Besser blocks can be used to complement the lines and shapes of your house, as in this modern home. The fence is made up of besser blocks stacked on their side so that the hollow interior creates a simple but effective geometric pattern. Grout – much lighter in colour than the besser blocks – adds extra visual effect and plays off the larger rectangular detail on the garage door.
2. As a screen
The decorative entry wall of this Texas home is a fantastic 1950s throwback. Geometric screens made of patterned besser blocks were big in surburban American homes in the mid 20th century, so if you want to bring a sense of ‘50s and ‘60s nostalgia to your landscape design or architecture, this is an affordable way to do so. Plus, decorative besser block screens and entry walls keep your home and garden private, while still allowing light and welcoming breezes to pass through.
The decorative entry wall of this Texas home is a fantastic 1950s throwback. Geometric screens made of patterned besser blocks were big in surburban American homes in the mid 20th century, so if you want to bring a sense of ‘50s and ‘60s nostalgia to your landscape design or architecture, this is an affordable way to do so. Plus, decorative besser block screens and entry walls keep your home and garden private, while still allowing light and welcoming breezes to pass through.
3. For decorative walls
Patterned besser blocks have been similarly used for the non-load-bearing walls of this garage and fence. Their intricate and interesting detail suits the wooded environment, and both contrasts and complements the warm horizontal timber panelling and and plain besser block wall.
Patterned besser blocks have been similarly used for the non-load-bearing walls of this garage and fence. Their intricate and interesting detail suits the wooded environment, and both contrasts and complements the warm horizontal timber panelling and and plain besser block wall.
4. For structural walls
Besser blocks are a common building material for load-bearing walls and can be used in tandem with concrete columns and tie beams, and then reinforced. As used in this home, besser blocks create a strong gridlike foundation for the second floor of the home.
Besser blocks are a common building material for load-bearing walls and can be used in tandem with concrete columns and tie beams, and then reinforced. As used in this home, besser blocks create a strong gridlike foundation for the second floor of the home.
Inside the home the besser blocks harmonise with the polished concrete floors and timber roof to create an interior that is visually warm, yet cool to the touch.
5. As an interior wall
Smooth besser blocks span the length of this open-plan dining and living area. Left bare, the lighter-coloured grout is almost the standout on this minimalist wall. And used with a palette of muted blues and purples, the besser blocks blend beautifully with the space, while providing a subtle backdrop for accent colours of lime green and yellow.
Smooth besser blocks span the length of this open-plan dining and living area. Left bare, the lighter-coloured grout is almost the standout on this minimalist wall. And used with a palette of muted blues and purples, the besser blocks blend beautifully with the space, while providing a subtle backdrop for accent colours of lime green and yellow.
6. For a fireplace
Stacked to the ceiling, these besser blocks create a monumental fireplace and chimney in this living room – a perfect setting to pull up that Eames Lounge and Ottoman on a cool winter’s day!
Stacked to the ceiling, these besser blocks create a monumental fireplace and chimney in this living room – a perfect setting to pull up that Eames Lounge and Ottoman on a cool winter’s day!
7. In the kitchen
Besser blocks are inherently industrial looking, so here’s a contemporary kitchen that plays on that industrial look, while still creating a warm and inviting space. Here, half-width concrete besser blocks have been used on the sides of the kitchen island and kitchen cabinets for a very subtle effect. Their physical texture harmonises with the visual texture of the benchtop.
Besser blocks are inherently industrial looking, so here’s a contemporary kitchen that plays on that industrial look, while still creating a warm and inviting space. Here, half-width concrete besser blocks have been used on the sides of the kitchen island and kitchen cabinets for a very subtle effect. Their physical texture harmonises with the visual texture of the benchtop.
8. In the courtyard
Outside, cool textured besser blocks blend seamlessly in this courtyard. They fit in perfectly with the soft neutral palette and smooth concrete stools, and are warmed by uplights.
Outside, cool textured besser blocks blend seamlessly in this courtyard. They fit in perfectly with the soft neutral palette and smooth concrete stools, and are warmed by uplights.
9. For a fire pit
Once again, it’s all about lines and shapes, here. Stacked three high, besser blocks make for an inexpensive, and easy to install, fire pit. And on a bigger scale, stacked vertically, they form an eye-catching entrance, that is both contemporary and reminiscent of the 1950s and ‘60s.
Once again, it’s all about lines and shapes, here. Stacked three high, besser blocks make for an inexpensive, and easy to install, fire pit. And on a bigger scale, stacked vertically, they form an eye-catching entrance, that is both contemporary and reminiscent of the 1950s and ‘60s.
10. As a planter
If you’re not ready to commit to blesser blocks for the architectural elements of your home, this DIY outdoor planter is a winner. Simple, cheap and effective, it could be a great weekend project and a chance to get creative and experiment with using besser blocks at different angles.
Consider these points before using besser blocks
1. The dominant lines and shapes of your house
2. Whether you’re creating decorative interest or a subtle backdrop
3. The complementary or contrasting materials they will be near
4. The colour palette of the room or exterior of your home
5. The lighting around the blocks for a warm or cool atmosphere
SHOW US
Have you used besser blocks in your home? Show us a high-resolution photo in the comments section.
If you’re not ready to commit to blesser blocks for the architectural elements of your home, this DIY outdoor planter is a winner. Simple, cheap and effective, it could be a great weekend project and a chance to get creative and experiment with using besser blocks at different angles.
Consider these points before using besser blocks
1. The dominant lines and shapes of your house
2. Whether you’re creating decorative interest or a subtle backdrop
3. The complementary or contrasting materials they will be near
4. The colour palette of the room or exterior of your home
5. The lighting around the blocks for a warm or cool atmosphere
SHOW US
Have you used besser blocks in your home? Show us a high-resolution photo in the comments section.
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(Core filled) besser blocks are the material of choice for builders in Darwin (Australia). Everything is constructed from them, externally and internally. Even my kitchen island has a half-block wall! and while it's a solid, practical and cheap building material, especially in a cyclone prone area, it's not a product that lends itself to remodeling. Besser blocks are certainly not used creatively or aesthetically in our region. Any (& every) wall that you would like to remove or move is a massive undertaking. Consider the work needed to repair or change plumbing buried in a concrete slab, that's kind of what it's like, but for walls. Our house is around 12 years old & at construction was most definitely a budget cookie-cutter model. The builder slapped it up so fast they forgot to install a power outlet in the main bathroom (I don't know how we didn't notice that when we were buying it...). I got a quote from an electrician to have one installed and he kindly detailed the incredibly painful and expensive process that a core filled besser brick wall presented. I still don't have an outlet.