The proverbial face of any build, a home’s façade acts as a portal to the emotive narrative that lies within. Lacking the adaptability of interiors, with their moveable furnishings and fixtures, getting it right the first time is all the more essential. Both contextually driven and timeless, these five façades utilise brick to create homes imbued not only in intrigue, but sustainability from inception.
Tall and stately, Victoria by Finnis is the creative response to a restrictive site for both commercial and residential use. Sitting within Melbourne’s Albert Park, the building subverts the red brick of surrounding heritage houses to create a distinctly urban, unified exterior that spans across three storeys. At the shopfront, black metal mesh elegantly encapsulates front windows, establishing a private space for clients, while shielding the interiors from excessive sunlight. Austral Bricks Industrial in Char are the hero material, referencing the monochromatic nature of neighbouring homes, while asserting Victoria’s refined modernity.
Its hit-and-miss format across the rear exists for both exquisite form and function, allowing glimpses of natural light inside as the day goes by. Renowned for its unmatched durability, the brickwork provides resistance against the bustling urban landscape, allowing the multifunctional site to exist for decades to come.
Drawing on the ancient principles of Classical architecture, Roberts Street Residencies employed symmetry artistically to design a façade reminiscent of the flowing pages of an open book. Its sculptural qualities come to fruition in Architecton’s use of GB Masonry GB Veneer Split Face, a textured brick that enhances dimension across the exterior of the mirrored homes. The risk of using lighter materials on the exterior is mitigated in the durability of the brick, its low-maintenance appeal creating ease of upkeep for the owners. Laid horizontally to echo nearby weatherboard houses, the bricks’ elongated form exaggerates the generosity of the already-wide site, establishing structural continuity between the two residencies.
Reflecting the earthen tones of neighbouring brickwork, Bowral Bricks 50 in Chillingham White flows over the exterior, directly juxtaposing the dark steel and glass behind it.
Intertwining memory with contextually driven design, architect Chloe Naughton created Inverdon House as a lasting retreat for her retiring parents. Built on the Northern Queensland site of her childhood home, the exterior features needed to feel calm and contemporary while constructing a resistant barrier against the harsh tropical conditions. Both masonry and brick were used to combat this, making for a simple yet modern façade that uses its material affordances to enhance quality living. Unique detailing creates a ribbing effect over a wall at the home’s entrance, embedding a tactile quality into the makeup of the house itself.
Sitting flush with the bushscape of Adelaide Hills, Number 40 by Black Rabbit Architecture and Interiors offers a masterclass in pairing style with substance. A severe BAL rating required materials that would withstand extreme heat, while contributing to the visual serenity the growing family desired. Combining brick, fibro cement and MgO board proved significantly effective in extending the longevity of the home, the choice of Austral Bricks San Selmo Smoked Opaque Slate giving the façade further texture in the noticeable discrepancies between the grey of each brick. When paired with concrete, timber and metals the robust palette exudes a clear connection between Number 40 and its natural realm.
Intertwining memory with contextually driven design, architect Chloe Naughton created Inverdon House as a lasting retreat for her retiring parents. Built on the Northern Queensland site of her childhood home, the exterior features needed to feel calm and contemporary while constructing a resistant barrier against the harsh tropical conditions. Both masonry and brick were used to combat this, making for a simple yet modern façade that uses its material affordances to enhance quality living. Unique detailing creates a ribbing effect over a wall at the home’s entrance, embedding a tactile quality into the makeup of the house itself.
Designed as the forever home for a young family, Project Acacia thrives in its minimalism, unafraid to subvert the suburban façade. Arli Homes allowed the house to occupy the entire site, making the most of the available space with an expansive exterior. Reflecting the earthen tones of neighbouring brickwork, Bowral Bricks 50 in Chillingham White flows over the exterior, directly juxtaposing the dark steel and glass behind it. The size of the three-storey home is softened by archways that give interest to the façade, differentiating it from the traditional brick build to establish a more contemporary appeal.
behind it. The size of the three-storey home is softened by archways that give interest to the façade, differentiating it from the traditional brick build to establish a more contemporary appeal.
Opting for reliable yet flexible materials, these five façades masterfully engage with surrounding architecture, crafting a balance between cohesion and impact. Steeped in the desire to create space that is long-lasting, the durability of their materiality enhances sustainability, making for a home that will last for decades to come.
Celebrating outstanding residential builds, the winners of the 2024 Inside Out x Brickworks Home of the Year Awards reflect the upper echelon of Australian architecture.
Using 35% less concrete than standard pavers, the crosshatch and sophisticated ribbed design of OpenForm Pavers are ideal for combining nature and design.
A grand Arts and Crafts home in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs thoughtfully restored and extended to honor its original architectural language while embracing contemporary living.
Igniting innovation in construction, Australia's first Certified Commercial Passivhaus Training Facility challenges the industry’s approach to climate change, pioneering sustainable building practices.
Celebrating outstanding residential builds, the winners of the 2024 Inside Out x Brickworks Home of the Year Awards reflect the upper echelon of Australian architecture.
The addition of one room completely transforms this tiny workers cottage, offering an array of functions against a seamless backdrop of light yet robust brickwork.
Using 35% less concrete than standard pavers, the crosshatch and sophisticated ribbed design of OpenForm Pavers are ideal for combining nature and design.
A grand Arts and Crafts home in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs thoughtfully restored and extended to honor its original architectural language while embracing contemporary living.
Igniting innovation in construction, Australia's first Certified Commercial Passivhaus Training Facility challenges the industry’s approach to climate change, pioneering sustainable building practices.
The addition of one room completely transforms this tiny workers cottage, offering an array of functions against a seamless backdrop of light yet robust brickwork.
Celebrating outstanding residential builds, the winners of the 2024 Inside Out x Brickworks Home of the Year Awards reflect the upper echelon of Australian architecture.
A grand Arts and Crafts home in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs thoughtfully restored and extended to honor its original architectural language while embracing contemporary living.
Igniting innovation in construction, Australia's first Certified Commercial Passivhaus Training Facility challenges the industry’s approach to climate change, pioneering sustainable building practices.
The addition of one room completely transforms this tiny workers cottage, offering an array of functions against a seamless backdrop of light yet robust brickwork.
Igniting innovation in construction, Australia's first Certified Commercial Passivhaus Training Facility challenges the industry’s approach to climate change, pioneering sustainable building practices.
Celebrating outstanding residential builds, the winners of the 2024 Inside Out x Brickworks Home of the Year Awards reflect the upper echelon of Australian architecture.
The addition of one room completely transforms this tiny workers cottage, offering an array of functions against a seamless backdrop of light yet robust brickwork.
Celebrating outstanding residential builds, the winners of the 2024 Inside Out x Brickworks Home of the Year Awards reflect the upper echelon of Australian architecture.
