Celebrating 100 Years of Bowral Bricks
Highly prized by architects, designers, builders, developers and home buyers, Bowral Bricks has proven their relevance to the Australian lifestyle, surviving in tough Australian conditions for more than a century. Founded in 1922 in the historic township of Bowral in NSW’s Southern Highlands, Bowral Bricks is best known for their genuine connection to their roots, which is reflected in their traditional craftsmanship techniques implemented at their Bowral manufacturing facility. Comprised of locally sourced clay, Bowral bricks reflect the rich colours and textures of Australian landscapes, which ensures a seamless integration within Australian homes.
Bowral Bricks’ connection to the Southern Highlands was cemented in the recent launch of their Bowral Highlands range, which uses clay sourced from the Southern Highlands region. This range embraces variance in both colour and texture; the clay giving the bricks a rich profile of authentic elements within the natural landscape.
Of the milestone, Brickworks General Manager of International Marketing, Brett Ward says, ‘Bowral Bricks has been a part of Australian life for more than 100 years. With their tactile aesthetic, Bowral bricks have set the standard for design and integrity which has influenced an era of iconic architecture. Their continued commitment to quality ensures Bowral Bricks will remain the benchmark for excellence for many years to come.’
Bowral Bricks are renowned for their premium dry pressed bricks which are made to last using time-honed techniques and modern technology. The premium quality bricks are comprised of the finest quality clays and shales which are compacted into individual moulds at high pressure to produce solid and dimensionally accurate dry pressed bricks. The bricks are available in standard shapes as well as sculptured custom shapes, providing the opportunity to add individuality to both the interior and exterior of any project. Bowral Bricks Special Shapes have been used in some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, including Frank Gehry’s Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at UTS, where Bowral Bricks Limousin Gold Special Shapes were used to create the iconic ‘paper bag’ façade.
The unique colour variations within each delivery of Bowral Bricks also ensures the authentic appeal that comes only with traditional manufacturing techniques. Bowral Bricks’ extensive colour palette covers the spectrum from the soft pale Chillingham White and cool silvers through to the palette of golds, orange and red hues to the highly sought-after Granite and Bowral Blue. Their distinctive clay colours and inherent character combine to create what can only be a Bowral brick.
To mark their 100th birthday, Brickworks has released a publication 100 Years of Bowral Bricks, which documents the significant milestones in Bowral Bricks' rich and diverse history. The curated publication celebrates some of Bowral Bricks' iconic featured projects, and the leading architects that played part in transforming the humble bricks into some of Australia’s most significant landmarks. From the distinctive curves of Koichi Takada’s Arc by Crown to Smart Design Studio’s architectural innovation of Stokes 14, Australian architects have demonstrated the unique ability for brick to deliver unmistakeable character and charm.
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