Brick Features That Bring The Outdoors In

Incorporating bricks as a design feature seamlessly blends the natural texture of the outdoors with the comfort of the indoors, creating an inviting, earthy atmosphere that enhances the connection between the two spaces.

Discover three distinctive brick features that enhance alfresco living, enabling homeowners to effortlessly bring the outdoors in. 

01

Sub Heading: Block Screens

Located in Ivanhoe, Victoria, Boulevard House by Albert Mo Architects serves as an interplay between architecture and landscape, embracing its local surroundings of the adjacent nature reserve and golf course. 

The home unfolds through two distinct pavilions – a single-story black volume and a more compact, double-story white volume. Affectionately referred to as the “treehouse”, the latter appears as a gable roof form reminiscent of a children’s drawing to provide a playful and intimate space for the family’s three children. With a round portal and open staircase, the encircling treetops filter in a playful combination of natural light and shadows. The treehouse features a block screen made from GB Veneer Sawn Face in Porcelain. Its muted tone allows natural light to stream from the outside in, while its hit-and-miss design also offers privacy through the dynamic play of shadows throughout the day. 

02

Sub Heading: Striking Facades

Brighton Social Housing by SJB is located in Melbourne’s Brighton, nestled alongside Elster Canal and Elsternwick Park. With the support of Homes Victoria and Building Communities, SJB redeveloped 127 outdated dwellings with 291 well-designed social and private rental homes. 

The extensive use of brickwork across the facades, allows the buildings to seamlessly nestle into the neighbourhood’s extensive greenery, mature trees and gardens that encapsulate the ‘home as sanctuary’ notion the architects sought to achieve. The project features three bricks from the Brickworks range. Nubrik Artisan in Aurora responds to the surrounding setting, drawing inspiration from Victoria’s frosty alpine environments with its contemporary cool grey winter hue. With a traditional quality and cachet found in genuine pressed brick, it serves as a bold statement that perfectly complements modern living, style and design. Austral Bricks Access in Cream brings affordability and elegant style to everyday living, with a light texture that creates cohesion across all 291 homes. Austral Bricks Indulgence in Praline offers a strong contrast to these bricks through its subtle texture and quietly confident neutral tone. The result is a community that flourishes outdoors through nuanced and highly considered design. 

“The extensive use of brickwork across the facades, allows the buildings to seamlessly nestle into the neighbourhood’s extensive greenery.”

03

Sub Heading: Monochromatic Brick Walls

A striking new building located in the heritage town of Toowoomba, South Eastern Queensland, architects Marc & Co innovatively utilised bricks throughout the home to create a seamless flow between the interior and exterior of the design. 

Through monochromatic brick walls, Marc & Co pay homage to the cultural and design heritage of the town while also paving way for new design elements in the area. Manufactured in Melbourne, Nubrik Traditional in Chapel Red is built to last the test of time, playing to the heritage of Toowoomba. The pressed clay brick creates a timeless finish with the subtle marbling and refined character. The mincing of natural rock creates a distinctive multicoloured shade that is reminiscent of the Australian landscape. Marc&Co has successfully celebrated the versatility of the bricks, flowing throughout the home and along the exterior.