Tag Archives: bricks

Eco-Friendly Architecture: Repurposing Clay Bricks for Sustainable Living

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Although bricks are commonly associated with exterior construction, they find versatile applications indoors and in landscape design. Their aesthetic appeal, versatility, and cost-effectiveness make them a standout choice for interior and exterior design. From structural elements to decorative features, bricks transcend their traditional role, offering aesthetic and functional benefits. Here are some modern applications of bricks in the realm of architectural, interiors, and landscape design.

Designer: Mutina x Konstantin Grcic

1. Expandable Brick Partition

Inspired by the intricate structure of beehives, Mutina, a pioneering ceramics company collaborating with top designers, introduced the Hives collection. Designed by Konstantin Grcic, these hexagonal terracotta bricks redefine traditional brick-building, offering infinite configurations for interior furnishings and architectural projects. Each brick, resembling two merged hexagons, facilitates dynamic versatility; vertically, they create semi-open structures with open cavities, while horizontally, they form undulating facades for columns and counters. Crafted in 13×22.5x7cm size, the Hives bricks combine functionality with durability, boasting impressive thermal and acoustic properties. Utilizing artisanal extrusion techniques, each brick is unique, maintaining an organic structure and a soothing orange glow, exemplifying Mutina’s commitment to innovative and sustainable ceramic design.

2. Multifunctional Walls

Designer: OA-Lab

Crafted by OA-Lab, the ‘Alley House’ in Seoul, South Korea, innovatively incorporates greenery into its brick facade. Utilizing a stretcher bond pattern, the lower floor features uniquely designed bricks serving as planters. These protruding bricks create shelves for planting, enhancing the building’s exterior with a vertical garden. Their concrete composition ensures durability and containment for plants, while their density on the ground level facilitates easy watering. Ideal for smaller plants, they add a charming touch of green against the building’s white and red color scheme.

3. Reduces Indoor Air Pollution

Designer: CTA Creative Architects

This innovative Wall House design by CTA Creative Architects in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, employs hole-punctured bricks to enhance indoor air quality and promote natural ventilation and illumination. Salvaged from nearby building sites, these bricks are strategically punctuated to allow fresh air and light into the living spaces. The irregular arrangement of burnt and blackened bricks adds texture and depth to the exterior, while tiered steps mimic the brick pattern, creating a visually striking entrance. Surrounding greenery improves air quality and contrasts beautifully with the brick tones. Large windows and a glass roof maximize natural light, enhancing the spaciousness of the interior. Simple materials like exposed-aggregate concrete and dark wood complement the design, while a stylish black-metal staircase adds functionality and aesthetic appeal.

4. Repurposed Bricks

Designer: Akasaki Vanhuyse

At London’s historic Royal Albert Wharf, repurposed bricks have been used to design the unique round bench FLOAT. Blending seamlessly into its maritime surroundings, it resembles a decorative element while offering seating. Crafted from traditional handmade clay bricks stacked in a brick-like design, it evokes the dockside architecture. The curved shape mimics the wharf’s edge, inviting visitors to sit and enjoy the view. Despite its unconventional material and rounded form, FLOAT adds an intriguing touch to the wharf’s ambiance.

5. Fluid Design

Designer: Studio KO

The Fjord House is a stunning architectural marvel by Studio Olafur Eliasson. Crafted with rustic bricks, this innovative design seamlessly merges tradition with modernity. Its curved walls evoke a sense of fluidity and dynamism, creating a captivating presence in any environment. The timeless charm and contemporary allure of the Fjord House, are a true testament to the fusion of art and architecture.

6. Circular Dwelling

Designer: Wallmakers

Toy Storey, a sustainable circular dwelling by Wallmakers India, headed by Vinu Daniel, creatively incorporates 6,200 discarded toys into its walls, transforming them into unique decorations. Beyond construction, architecture expresses cultural, social, and environmental concerns, as demonstrated in this groundbreaking project nestled in Kerala’s landscapes. It’s more than a home; it’s a tribute to nostalgia, childhood, and eco-awareness. Through repurposing toys as structural elements and decorative features, Toy Storey prompts reflection on consumption habits, while its design seamlessly blends with its surroundings. The interiors foster community living with individual privacy, featuring translucent screens, a central courtyard, and innovative ventilation. Toy Storey challenges norms, advocating sustainability and creativity by giving discarded items new meaning.

7. Prefabricated Homes

Designer: Agora Arquitectura

Spanish firm Agora Arquitectura transformed a neglected brick structure near Barcelona into the ‘House on a Brick Base’, initially home to a tool shed and a small red-brick building. The latter was refurbished and extended, integrating two perpendicular brick walls supporting the timber dwelling. External brick staircases and a perimeter wall were added. Sustainable materials like prefabricated cross-laminated timber and whitewashed cork were used. Co-founder Joan Casals Pañella described the project as an homage to traditional building methods. The studio fully renovated the brick building and expanded it across the terrain. Co-founder Joan Casals Pañella characterized the project as a tribute to traditional construction techniques, integrating two perpendicular brick walls into the structure to support the timber dwelling above. Additionally, a perimeter wall of perforated brick and exterior brick staircases were seamlessly incorporated to link various levels of the building within the sloping landscape.

8. Staggered Green Roof

Designer: Sanjay Puri Architects

Prestige University, designed by Sanjay Puri Architects in Indore, India, embodies a fusion of organic architecture and sustainable building practices. Featuring staggered green terraces ascending towards a 20-meter apex, the design optimizes natural resources and climate. Inspired by traditional Indian architecture, the structure leverages the local environment for energy efficiency. The terraces allow fractured sunlight and ventilation, while a 20-meter tall brick screen mitigates heat absorption, particularly on the east, west, and south sides. The ground level accommodates administrative offices, an auditorium, and a cafeteria, with first-floor library rooms connected by an internal bridge reminiscent of Colosseum tunnels. Multi-tiered brick terraces offer recreational spaces, with facilities including a library, cafeteria, and seminar halls nestled beneath.

9. Accent Walls

Image courtesy of: pro_creator

In this minimalist interior design, a brick wall demarcates the open-plan kitchen from the rest of the space. The L-shaped kitchen island transforms into a breakfast counter with tall chairs. It becomes the focal point of the open-plan home while a drop ceiling further reinforces the position of the kitchen island.

10. 3D Wall Patterns

Image courtesy of: leungchopan

By subtle variations in elevation or intricate arrangements, one can craft diverse 3D patterns. This approach adds visual interest and imbues the space with an organic texture and ambiance to the interiors and exteriors.

What are the alternatives to clay bricks?

Glass Bricks

Designer: Konstantin Ikonomidis

Seeking inspiration from Greenland’s indigenous culture, this translucent public installation is crafted from glass bricks. The Qaammat Fjeld Pavilion, designed by Konstantin Ikonomidis, nestles between two fjords in Sarfannguit, Greenland. Traditional building methods were used by Ikonomidis to anchor the structure to rocky terrain, forming two semi-circular structures atop horizontal bars. Collaborating with Wonderglass, glass bricks reflect the surrounding landscape, offering changing vistas as seasons evolve, while also casting crystalline shadows and light displays with the sun’s movement.

Recycled Plastics

Designer: ByFusion

ByFusion’s initiative, reminiscent of Wall-E’s garbage cubes, introduces ByBlock, an eco-friendly construction material crafted from repurposed plastic and nonrecyclables. Through steam compression, these materials are transformed into versatile forms suitable for basic structures like fences or terraces. ByBlocks, produced with the patented Blockers technology, eliminates the need for cleaning or sorting, offering a sustainable solution to waste reduction. This innovation not only repurposes plastic waste but also holds potential for diverse construction applications, facilitating global environmental cleanup efforts.

The post Eco-Friendly Architecture: Repurposing Clay Bricks for Sustainable Living first appeared on Yanko Design.

This collection of hexagonal bricks inspired by beehives is shaped for infinite expandability

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Hives is a collection of hexagonal, terracotta bricks that can be laid together to form endless configurations for interior furnishings and architectural structures.

Mutina is a collaborative ceramics company devoted to bringing top designers to the world of ceramics to bring their visions to life. Inspired by the endless range of textures and colors accessible to ceramicists, Mutina’s catalog of terracotta ceramics is constantly pushing the envelope for exciting and innovative new designs.

Designer: Mutina x Konstantin Grcic

Recently, the Italian brand commissioned Konstantin Grcic to develop a new line of terracotta bricks that challenges the fixed nature of brick-building. Inspired by the complex structure of beehives, Grcic’s line of terracotta bricks, aptly called Hives, can create seemingly endless configurations.

Described as a hexagonal brick, each brick that comprises the Hives collection could also be described as two hexagonal bricks merged together, giving the brick its three-dimensional appeal. Through this dynamic shaping, Grcic managed to design a brick that could build geometric partitions just as well as cylindrical columns.

If laid vertically, the bricks form a semi-open structure with open cavities formed by the bricks’ harsh angles. When laid flat, the bricks can either be placed in a staggered or flush formation, producing more lively, undulating facades for structures like columns and table counters.

Available in the size 13×22, 5x7cm, the Hives brick is fully functional and versatile to build walls, architectural structures, and interior furnishings. Realized in terracotta, each Hives brick maintains impressive thermal and acoustics capacities, as well as durable tactile properties that are warmed by the brick’s soothing, orange glow. Produced using an artisanal technique called extrusion, each Hives brick is unique and organic in structure.

The post This collection of hexagonal bricks inspired by beehives is shaped for infinite expandability first appeared on Yanko Design.

Creative brick design with a built-in planter turns the outer facade of this house into a vertical garden!

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Created by architecture and interior design firm OA-Lab, the ‘Alley House’ is a small multi-family housing project with a brick facade, located in Seoul, South Korea. The house sits on a developed, relatively crowded street with buildings on either side… but the lack of proper space for a garden prompted OA-Lab to devise a clever workaround – turn the house into a garden itself! The Alley House comes with a beautifully earthy exposed brick outer facade, and the lower floor uses a stretcher bond bricklaying pattern with a few unusually designed bricks that also function as planters! These wavy bricks protrude out from the wall, providing a series of ‘shelves’ or basins to grow plants in. The hollow space within the bricks is enough to lay in some soil and add a few seeds, and given that the bricks are made from concrete, they’re perfect for containing the plants in too!

Designer: OA-Lab

The bricks are located more densely on the ground level, so they can easily be watered manually every few days while also creating a vertical garden that runs along the perimeter of the building. The individual bricks are perfectly sized for smaller plants, offering the possibility of a tiny flower or herb garden, and when fully cultivated, add a beautiful touch of greenery to the white and red color scheme of the building’s exterior!

Photography by Kyungsub Shin

The post Creative brick design with a built-in planter turns the outer facade of this house into a vertical garden! first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO just dropped a Spotify album… and it’s filled with hours of soothing ASMR soundtracks made using LEGO bricks

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Contrary to popular belief, the album isn’t filled with “Everything Is Awesome” on loop.

Titled LEGO® White Noise, the album explores a unique aspect of the LEGO experience – their sound. While the bricks are incredibly visual, tactile, and versatile, they also have a uniquely vast and engaging auditory experience. By experimenting with over 10,000 brick combinations, the designers at LEGO have unveiled a 6-track album, featuring 30-minute long audio tracks of just sounds using LEGO bricks, from the familiar rattle of rummaging through a carton of bricks, to actually clipping bricks together to make sculptures/models. The tracks have an incredible ASMR quality to them, and honestly make for perfect background audio while you work, play, code, read, etc. I can’t understate exactly how therapeutic the sound of the LEGO bricks being clinked together are, but just mere minutes into the first track, I feel like a 10-year old child again.

The album was designed to help listeners relax and unwind. The sounds trigger a part of the brain associated with meditation and relaxation, given that our mind associates LEGO with those very attributes too. Just the way the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin get you feeling ‘autumny’, the LEGO White Noise tracks instantly transport you to a place of being happy and carefree. Once again, the folks at LEGO have shown us that their bricks truly have unlimited potential!

You can check out the Spotify Album by clicking here. Definitely give a listen to the track titled “The Waterfall”, for the absolutely exhilarating sound of LEGO bricks being dumped one on top of another!

Van Gogh’s iconic Starry Night will soon be immortalized with its own LEGO set!

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I’d venture a guess that owning a LEGO Starry Night would be just as cool as owning the original, but who am I to judge the value of post-impressionist art, I’m just another millennial!

LEGO just approved of turning the Starry Night into a production-ready set. The idea for the product came from LEGO Ideas, a playground where LEGO enthusiasts upload their creations, and LEGO fans vote on designs that they want to see willed into existence. The Starry Night rendition comes from Truman Cheng, a Master Builder who goes by the username legotruman. Cheng’s rendition of the post-impressionist masterpiece uses a total of 1,552 pieces, and gathered a stunning 10 thousand votes on the LEGO Ideas platform! It features a 3 dimensional representation of Van Gogh’s famed painting, along with a miniature figurine of the artist along with his easel, brush, palette, and canvas. The 3D LEGO pieces actually work wonderfully with Van Gogh’s style, as each individual brick looks like a distinct brush-stroke, giving the artpiece its signature Impressionist appeal.

As of now LEGO has approved of Truman’s design for production, but there isn’t any word on when it’ll release, or what the price will be.

Designer: Truman Cheng for LEGO Ideas

This hole-some house design reduces indoor pollution and breathes using upcycled punctured bricks!

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Getting creative with traditional material is the key to making architectural structures truly stand out. This Wall House designed by CTA Creative Architects shows that creativity by using hole-punctured bricks. It was specifically chosen to facilitate natural ventilation, bring in sunlight, and letting the house itself breathe.

This “wholesome” structure is a multi-generational family home in the city of Bien Hoa, Vietnam and the only thing they wanted was the living spaces to feel bright and airy. “According to recently published scientific research, indoor air quality is worse than outdoor air quality. Therefore, most of our discussions with the house owner tended to the idea of a house that is able to ‘breathe’ 24/7 by itself,” said the team. Most of the structure’s exterior is covered in perforated square bricks that allow fresh air and natural light to flood in. It also promotes upcycling in design – all of the bricks were salvaged from the building sites of properties nearby and were then punctuated to make four small holes in each of them. Material reusability is as important as creativity.

The team also managed to save burnt and blackened bricks and used them artistically to form dark patches of color which adds more texture and dimension to the exterior aesthetic. The bricks are arranged randomly to form an irregular, bumpy surface finish – unconventional like the material itself. A wide flight of tiered steps that lead up to the entrance has been printed with a holey pattern to matches the bricks, it almost looks like a permanent shadow cast on them on a sunny day. To further add to the natural breathing feeling, a small “garden” was planted around the periphery of the main room which makes the air quality better and also acts a much needed soothing contrast to the brick tones.

The house has an unobstructed and large living area which features two massive square windows that have been made in Wall House’s front elevation for maximum natural light. Another window element is the glass roof which illuminates the other corners of the house. All these details not only add to the ‘breathing’ quality of the house but also increase the expansiveness of the place. The rest of the material palette for the home was kept very simple – exposed-aggregate concrete cover the floor and dark wood was used for the kitchen cabinets. A black-metal staircase with a wire-frame balustrade leads to the first level of the home and also serves as a great spot to show off your quarantine outfits – I can’t be the only one who walks down in a different set of PJs for every meal right?

Designer: CTA Creative Architects

Recycled sand and plastic waste are used to make this sustainable brick!

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Did you know that the construction industry actually contributes more to global warming than the aviation industry Construction is responsible for 39% of the world’s CO2 emissions while aviation is responsible for 2% and that means we need a sustainable building material before we need electric airplanes. Rhino Machines is an Indian company that has recently launched a sustainable alternative to the traditional brick called the silica plastic block in collaboration with architectural firm R+D Studio.

We’ve seen mushrooms turn into bricks and now we are seeing this brick made of 80% recycled sand waste/foundry dust and 20% mixed plastic waste. The SPB (silicone plastic block) was created to curb the gigantic dust waste from construction that contributes to India’s pollution levels that are already hazardous in major cities. The project started with a goal of producing zero waste from the sand reclamation plant in the Rhino Machines foundry plant. There were many experiments before landing on this ratio, initially foundry dust was used in cement-bonded fly ash bricks (7-10% waste recycled) and clay bricks (15% waste recycled). This production process was reliant on natural supplies such as cement, fertile soil, and water which wouldn’t justify the team’s criteria of creating something that was more environmentally friendly. After multiple trials and research, the solution of bonding sand/foundry dust with plastic was born. Since it is made out of waste, the cost of production is relatively low and Rhino Machines is working on an ecosystem solution so that the foundries across the country can develop and distribute the SPBs within their zones.

The team used mixed plastic waste as a bonding agent which reduced the need for water during mixing and thereafter curing is completely eliminated. These sustainable bricks would be directly used after cooling down from the molding process. Over four months the team approached hospitals, societies, individuals, social organizations, and the local municipal corporations to provide clean plastic. A total of six tonnes of plastic waste and sixteen tonnes of dust + sand from the foundry industry were collected, ready to be recycled. The SPB bricks were 2.5 times stronger than the regular red clay bricks and used 80% lesser natural resources too – now you can build a stronger home that also lets your home planet be strong. Better to use that plastic in bricks than to put it in the sea!

Designers: Rhino Machines and R+D Studio

Build a Marble Run with Tiny Bricks and Mortar

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Marble runs can be a whole lot of fun to build and watch in action. But most of the ones I’ve seen are made from wood or maybe plastic. If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, check out this marble run kit that includes towers made from bricks.

There’s no way the Big Bad Wolf is blowing down the Teifoc Run n’ Roll Marble Run. This unique play set includes about 200 tiny terracotta clay bricks, along with mortar and a trowel. Yes, you build it yourself. The cool thing is that the mortar is made from a soluble corn-based glue, so you can actually disassemble and rebuild new structures if you soak them in water for a couple of hours.

If you buy a few kits, you could probably build some pretty epic constructions, but with a price tag just under $100, that could get expensive very quickly. The brick and mortar marble run is available from Amazon. They sell mortar refills as well. I’d like to see someone scale up this idea using real bricks, PVC, and maybe some bowling balls.