ADF11_03-11 1/16/09 2:47 PM Page 5
News
Brick is Back in the Spotlight
“Do we really think that the rash
of new panelled and rendered city
centre apartment blocks are going
to improve with age? Are they not
in any case more suited to the
Mediterranean, if anywhere, than to
our more challenging climate?
Environmental Responsibility
“This is not simply a matter of
beauty, which of course matters
enormously, but also of
environmental responsibility.
Every building we demolish
represents a waste of the energy
used to demolish and rebuild,
but also of the energy that is
embodied in the material with
which it is built. Building to last is
a matter of good design, good
materials and adaptability.
“The fact that many old factory
buildings (like my own premises,
a 100 year old brick built Tobacco
Factory in Bristol) are convertible
into homes, workplaces and
cultural and commercial uses, and
are good for another century or
two is thanks to their robust form
of construction and finish.
“It is important to me that our
buildings should reflect local
conditions. In hot countries brick
can be used to create screen walls
that encourage cross ventilation.
In October 2008, one of the generation of modernists. winery, house, or workplace, all In changing climates they can be
world’s largest brick manufacturers, However, that most ubiquitous of having in common the masterly used to create the thermal mass
Wienerberger, hosted a lecture to all building materials is back and is use of this most traditional of that helps to balance changes in
more than 100 architects at the RIBA now the favoured material of some building materials. temperature, and in cold climes to
centre regarding the humble brick, of the very best architects. “The winning projects generally create heavily insulated
and it was speaker, George have an adventurous enclosures. They can also,
Ferguson, who captured the The New Cool contemporary twist to the use of importantly, reflect local character
audience’s imagination. “The RIBA Stirling Prize winning brick and clay, and yet are fully in in terms of the type of brick and
In this feature, Mr Ferguson, architects Herzog & de Meuron harmony with their urban or rural bond, local manufacture being so
Former RIBA president and have declared it the new cool and settings, being one of the great much more sustainable.
co-founder of Acanthus and have changed their material for the advantages of the use of natural “We would be foolish to turn our
Ferguson Mann Architects, reveals planned extension of the Tate materials. Another advantage is of backs on brick and be seduced
why bricks are at last moving into Modern to brick. course durability and we only have into less substantial materials that
the architectural spotlight. “I have always retained a great to look at our great Victorian and may be great for the magazine
“Although brick has been on respect for brick as a building Edwardian residential areas and shots but lose their gloss
the scene for well over 5,000 material so was delighted to be industrial buildings to see that thereafter. There will of course be
years, it remains a staple building asked to chair the 2008 brick, far from deteriorating with developments in brick that
material around the world. Wienerburger European Brick age, mellows and becomes more respond to current needs, not just
The Romans used brick Awards in Vienna, having seen the beautiful with time – the test of of size, shape and finish, but also
extensively and the results are still high architectural standards of really enduring architecture. maybe incorporating thermal
seen all over Europe. their 2006 Awards. The main “As I watch the rapid rise of insulation, cooling and even
“The humble brick in the right criteria is that any entry must some of the buildings that have integrated photovoltaics, coming a
hands can produce an exquisite incorporate brick or clay products shot up around us over the past very long way from my first use of
result, and equally a deadly dull and that there is no stipulation as decade I ask whether they are mud brick in Northern Turkey, but
one in the hands of the post war to manufacturer. Some of the going to look as good in 100 years there will always be a great future
house builders’ drawing offices, results are stunning, and a variety time, and even whether they will be for that basic humble building
resulting in it being shunned by a of winners include a church, with us in 2100. module; the clay brick.”
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