A Humble Building Block: Bricks Give Anderson Road House A Unique Identity

A brick is a common and reliable building material. It is durable and minimizes the risk of cracks in the structure. Many modern homes have benefited from it not only structurally but also aesthetically. BE Architecture had used this humble building block as the main characteristic of Anderson Road House in Australia. The architect explained bricks create buildings of instant permanence and opportunities for delicate detailing when treated correctly.

Creating A Space That Highlights Bricks

According to BE Architecture, the dusty pink and red tones of the brick blurred by a flush-struck mortar are inspired by the client’s heritage. The material also provides the house with the physical and conceptual backbone. 

The house consists of a series of simple forms that step across the sloping site. This allows residents to move between and experience the key material as a whole. 

The architect used other materials to support the bricks. Materials like white off-form concrete, light oak flooring, and putty-colored surfaces connect the building. They also create moments of contrast without competing. 

A stretch of lush landscape fills in the space between the forms. It creates a series of light courts that feed the internal spaces, providing light and ventilation to key areas. The architect incorporated tropical-inspired planting and deep pools of water to create an integrated oasis. The deep greens and blues ease the solidity of the materials and rigidity of the form.

Finding Balance Between Privacy and Openness

BE Architecture designed the Anderson Road House for a family of four. The house should be able to provide them with privacy and intimacy while allowing them to open, entertain, host, and grow.

The double-height glazed facade welcomes each guest with an in-situ concrete stair that wraps between floors. It is not only an impressive feature but it creates a threshold to the more private spaces beyond without blocking natural ventilation and light to circulate across the floors. 

A guest suite is positioned to the side away from the main living space to serve as a private space for the grandparents to stay. The architect also placed secondary living spaces away from the main entry to create moments of respite for either the kids or the parents. 

The center of these areas is the brick and glass pavilion that houses the true heart of the home–the kitchen. The kitchen extends into the garden with an outdoor entertaining space tied up by a curved brick wood-fired oven. 

Early engagement with the construction team and working through a detailed design with a budget in mind is crucial for this project, the architect explained. “We are inherently aware of the importance of external contribution in achieving successful outcomes on our projects, with Anderson the relationship with the individual trades was vital. It allowed us to source cost-effective materials and elevate them through their detailing and application,” BE Architecture said.

It was essential to have a continuous dialogue with the bricklayers and concreters throughout the building process to ensure they deliver the project as it should be.

Photo by Victor Vieaux