top of page
BONDING TYPES

MANCHESTER BRICK

RUNNING BOND
RUNNING BOND
COMMON BOND
FLEMISH BOND
COMMON BOND
ENGLISH CROSS OR DUTCH
STACK BOND
ENGLISH BOND

Exploring the material brick was my initial exploration in what materials would be possible on site. Leaf St was once home to the red brick industrial slums which were part of Hulme history during the late 1800's and early 1900's. These houses were built from the iconic Manchester red brick which were made in the region using local clays. Brickwork was also used in the Leaf St baths, using again the same Manchester red brick using flemish bond which still remains evident around the city. The baths were demolished in 1976, bringing back an essence of the community which surrounded this time through the architectural language of brick would enhance and bring a richness to the scheme.

Hulme baths, Leaf St
Industrial slums

EXPLORING BRICK IN MANCHESTER + HULME

Discovering the history of brick in the city and learning how brick is being used in Manchester today was key in addressing the possibilities of using brick in this scheme. We began the journey around Manchester at an iconic brick building, the Palace Theatre. Our journey took us through the centre of the city, around the Norther Quarter, into Ancoats, back through the city and into Hulme. The use of brick in the city and the range used was astounding, however it was clear there is a key language to how brick is used in the city. The green button below links to the document 'Brickin' it MCR' created about our discoveries:

LSE SAW SWEE HOCK, O'DONNELL + TUOMEY

Understanding materials through analysing precedent

The LSE Saw Swee Hock building stands as a red brick landmark in central London. The building is completely wrapped with brick, using a steel frame to support the structure. Architects O'Donnell + Tuomey have cleverly used the geometricity of brick to create interesting angles. The building also plays with perforrated brick facades allowing the play of light and sourcing of daylight into the interior of the building through this way of exploring the facade and capabilities of the brick.

APPLYING BRICK TO THE SCHEME

The Training Centre

DAYLIGHTING POSSIBILITIES

The perforrated brick in the LSE Saw Swee Hock building allows for daylight to enter the building whilst maintaining privacy. In elements of the Training Centre it is key to maintain privacy for both those inside and for the residents surrounding the site. These explorations in how sunlight can enter the building through the perforrated brick allows to see how this could be used within the training centre. The additional added value of ventilation as shown in the diagram adds to the environmental factors.

3. Materials which are locally sourced
2. Vernacular, using relevant and suitable materials relatable to Manchester and Hulme

The use of brick on site will be in the Training Centre. The centre is designed to become a landmark in the community, the use of brick will help contribute to the building being seen within the landscape in contrast to the timber clad buildings of the retail units. Brick meets two of the material values layed out in this exploration. The bricks will be locally sourced creating a vernacular design decision which will be evident in the community. 

BRICK + BOND HULME

As we developed our research of Manchester, the focus on brick in Hulme was vital to having a strong informed decision of what bonding type, colour and mortar would be best for the site. There is a vast variety of brick types in Hulme. The newer yellow brick and black brick combinations are used widely in residential areas. The red bricks are still used in many different building types and those which remained or have connections to the past are most likely to be red brick.

BRICK + BOND HULME

Above are some examples of running bond in Hulme. I have decided to use a running bond as the bond for my bricks as the simplicity of it appealed to me. It also allows for experimental and creative brick detailing in different places of the facade that will contrast more clearly. There are range of running bonds using different bricks in Hulme, black brick, red and aged to show a few. Connecting back to the historical choices for brick and thoroughly learning about brick in Manchester I decided to use red brick as the colour, with a simple tan mortar.

BRICK SELECTION: IBSTOCK

Sourced: Chailey, England

New Chailey Rustic

Sandfaced

215x102x65 dimensions (standard)

2.2kg per brick

bottom of page