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UK’s largest brickmaker scoops trio of prestigious awards

Image: Courtyard House Photography Tom Gildon & David Butler

Ibstock, the UK’s largest brickmaker, has further cemented its position as the industry-leader by winning three awards at the 40th annual Brick Developers Association’s (BDA) Awards, which celebrate excellence in design and construction using brick.

This latest success takes Ibstock’s total award wins since 2005 to 77 – more than any other brickmaker. The stunning builds feature bricks from Ibstock’s wide-ranging portfolio of colours, textures, sizes and finishes to achieve a huge variety of aesthetic effects.

Projects using Ibstock bricks picked up the top accolade in three categories, including: Best Individual Housing Development, from Dallas Pierce Quintero for Courtyard House, which showcased a creative application of Staffordshire Blue Umbra Sawtooth and Standard; and Best Large House Builder for Linden Homes by Stride Treglown, which used Audley Red Mixture and Commercial Red to achieve a striking impact.

The distinctive arched pavilion of the Brentwood School Learning Resource Centre in Essex, designed by Cottrell & Vermeulen, won Best Education Building, using brick façades to harmonise with existing buildings using the distinctive Heritage Red Blend.

In addition, Ibstock-Kevington products were also used in Newport Street Gallery, which picked up the Supreme Award. The innovative project used precast lintels and beams, together with CNC cut brickwork, all of which were manufactured by Ibstock-Kevington.

Andrew Halstead-Smith, group marketing manager at Ibstock, commented: “As brick continues to retain its position as the number one construction material of choice, what we are seeing is more innovative and creative applications of brick, which really showcase its tremendous design capabilities.

“Architects, specifiers and contractors are pushing the boundaries when it comes to application to create breath taking designs, which these award-winning projects really demonstrate. We congratulate all those involved.

“The calibre of builds shortlisted at this year’s awards was incredibly high; so to have three projects where Ibstock bricks were used receiving awards, in addition to playing a part in the Supreme Award winning entry, really is testament to the versatility of Ibstock’s wide-range of options.”

A further project which also used Ibstock bricks received the judges’ commendation in the category of Best Education Building, for Merchant Taylors’ School Design Centre designed by Architecture PLB.

For more information visit www.ibstock.com.
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Ibstock showcases award-winning design

Following the Brick Development Association’s (BDA) Awards which took place last month, the latest edition of ‘Design’ (the inspirational magazine from Ibstock) is showcasing a number of cutting-edge projects using Ibstock bricks, which were shortlisted for the prestigious accolades.

The latest issue, which is available now, also offers a multitude of technical advice and recommendations for creating curved brickwork, and features a number of recent building projects where such techniques have been applied to maximum effect.

The latest issue offers an in-depth look at Incurvo, a private house in Oxfordshire, where the use of radial brickwork has been used to create striking aesthetics. In addition, further projects showcased in the latest edition, include: Cottrell & Vermeulen’s The Bean Learning Resource Centre at the independent Brentwood School in Essex, and Domino houses in North London.

Andrew Halstead-Smith, Group Marketing Manager at Ibstock, comments: “This edition of Design highlights that the construction industry is still incredibly forward-thinking, and is continuing to push the boundaries of modern design, embracing changing trends and styles, and that brick, as the number one construction material, is helping it to do so.

“The projects featured are from both private and public sectors and showcase the ways in which buildings can be set apart by eye-catching aesthetics. We are delighted to have been able to play a part in the creation of such inspirational buildings and to have all the projects featured in this latest edition also recognised at the BDA Awards, only serves as further testament to the powerful results achievable with brick.”

To obtain the latest issue of Design or find out more about the range of bricks available, visit www.ibstock.com.
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Investment in new Midlands cutting centre at Ibstock Brickworks

The UK’s largest brick maker, Ibstock has opened a new state-of-the-art cutting centre for its Chesterton brick works as part of its ongoing investment programme.

The investment has resulted in doubling of production at the site, the installation of the fastest slipsaw in the UK – capable of processing 8,000 bricks a day – and increased staff numbers.

Ibstock’s Chesterton site specialises in custom made brick shapes from the Ibstock-Kevington range of special shapes and prefabricated solutions including Faststack, Fastwall, arches and underslung soffits.

Iain Durrant, operations director at Ibstock-Kevington, says: “Our Chesterton factory is well placed to support the supply of our specials range across the UK.  We know many construction professionals are seeking ways to speed-up build timescales and the investment is designed to support our range of products and solutions which can help to do just that.

“Our site at Chesterton is one of the most efficient factories of its type in the world and the new cutting centre adds to what it offers to meet demand across construction.”

Ibstock is also investing £55 million in its site in Ibstock, Leicestershire.  The new state-of-the-art production facility is set to boost manufacture by an additional 100 million bricks per year – enough to build around 15,000 new houses.

For more information, visit www.ibstock.com or call 0844 800 4575.

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Nexus Brick Faced Support System

Creating flawless brick-faced soffits and lintels has now become much simpler and quicker, thanks to a new lightweight stainless steel based system developed by two industry-leading companies – brick support specialist Ancon Building Products and Ibstock Kevington –national manufacturer of brickwork and masonry special shapes and prefabricated components.

The new Nexus® system combines a specially developed Ibstock Kevington lightweight brick-faced steel unit with Ancon’s tried and tested MDC stainless steel bracket angle support system. The system offers contractors easier handling coupled with maximum adjustability, both vertically and horizontally, for quick and simple alignment on site.

The new system offers considerable benefits over traditional cast concrete alternatives – cutting weight by more than half, which in most cases will allow the brick-faced units to be installed without specialist lifting equipment, and significant savings in installation time – making it particularly appropriate for fast-track or time-limited projects.

Individual Nexus® units are designed and prefabricated off-site to suit different soffit dimensions, even modern deep soffits, so there is no cutting required on-site. They are simply offered up to the pre-fixed and pre-drilled Ancon MDC support system and then bolted into position using T-head bolts. The quality design allows units to be simply adjusted for perfect alignment and, once in position, all that is left is for the brick facing to be pointed for a seamless match with the main brickwork.

Nexus units can be fabricated using virtually any brick or masonry with the chosen product being specially selected and precision cut, generally from the same batch as the main façade to ensure a perfect visual match. Various brick patterns can also be specified to match individual project designs and styles.

All system components are of the highest quality, and engineered for economy and durability, with slips permanently bonded to the high grade stainless steel Nexus system using a BBA accredited bonding system. Nexus has been independently tested for long term durability by Lucideon, the independent global experts in materials testing, analysis and consultancy.

Ibstock Kevington Sales Director, Warren Dean said “Nexus® is an exciting new development that brings together the combined experience and expertise of two major companies – each market leaders in their own area. The advanced design will not only make it easier and quicker to specify and install modern brick-faced soffit and lintel features in a range of different building applications, but the two-part design means it will be far easier to achieve perfect alignment with the main brickwork façade.”

Further details and technical specifications for the Nexus® system are available in a new 4-page brochure, available to download from www.ancon.co.uk/Nexus.

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Realising the design potential of Tilebrick

Ibstock, the UK’s largest brickmaker, has launched a new guide for its innovative Tilebrick range to showcase both the creative and contemporary designs achievable and provide specifiers with greater insight into the unique portfolio.

As well as examples of stand-out projects which incorporate Tilebrick – a novel brick which can simulate a traditional tile-hung wall elevation as well striking contemporary facades – the guide includes a step-by-step section, providing effective application advice and tips.

In addition, it provides a detailed breakdown of the technical aspects of the range, outlining the new profiles available. These include Planar, which gives a crisp and defined finish, Banded, for a strong linear definition and Curved, which delivers a more traditional finish with a softer appeal. Measurements and the wide range of colour and texture options available are also detailed in the guide.

Tilebrick’s unique design means it can be used to provide a monolithic appearance without the visual disruption of mortar joints and can still be laid using traditional standard mortars. As such, it is contributing to the creation of original and contemporary architecture across the UK.

The Tilebrick is supported by a range of accessories to satisfy any design requirement, details for which can also be found in the new brochure.

Andrew Halstead-Smith, Group Marketing Manager at Ibstock, comments “Thanks to its flexible design capabilities and ability to give a new dimension to facades, Tilebrick is proving to be an increasingly popular range. The new guide has been developed so that specifiers can explore the portfolio’s full potential and confidently specify this innovative brick product, knowing it can bring any architectural vision to life.”

For more information and for a copy of the new guide, visit www.ibstock.com or call 0844 800 4575.

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Adding a new dimension through glazed brick

With the housing market continuing to grow, architects and specifiers are increasingly looking for ways to create stand-out design and enhance the kerb appeal of their builds. As a result, the UK’s largest brickmaker, Ibstock, is seeing a rise in demand across its innovative glazed brick range.

Ibstock’s portfolio features real ceramic glazes in a huge variety of colours, sizes and finishes – such as frosted, gloss and satin. By using glazed brick, specifiers are able to use depth and colour to create impressive façades and add innovative and striking design elements to any build.

Suitable for most masonry applications and elevations, Ibstock’s glazed range has already been applied to a host of striking commercial and residential builds across the UK.

Creating colourful spaces

One building project to realise the design potential of glazed bricks is Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. Used to create an exciting and colourful design, whilst seamlessly integrating new and existing buildings, the architect specified the innovative glazed slip for the creation of a series of ‘lecture pods’ – a number of modern and welcoming areas for students to relax or study between lectures, which have been strategically placed to break up the façade.

A number of internal circular walls were installed to create the new lecture pods before the rainbow assortment of glazed slips in blue, red, orange, yellow and grey were applied. Against a contrast of timber cladding, the bricks delivered a fresh and modern finish to enhance the building’s environment.

As well as its ease of use, a major advantage of glazed brick is its ability to speed up construction without sacrificing visual appeal. For example, to minimise on-site construction at Anglia Ruskin University, the circular walls were built using blockwork before being clad with the glazed slips, which removed the need for traditional brickwork.

Adding distinction

Ibstock’s glazed range has also been used to great effect in the regeneration of the Acton Housing Scheme in Ealing, West London. The latest phase of the development involved creating an elegant gateway to South Acton, which is comprised of 8 to 10 storey residential blocks arranged around a south facing courtyard.
To break up the perceived mass of the buildings, the architect used large panels of glazed brickwork to create a striking façade in a palette of sky blue, white and a bespoke pale mint. The use of the large panels of glazed brick creates simple yet effective variations between the residential blocks.

To provide a comprehensive overview of the design possibilities achievable through the use of glazed brick, Ibstock recently launched its new edition of ‘Design’ magazine, which is dedicated to this exciting range.
Andrew Halstead-Smith, Group Marketing Manager at Ibstock, comments: “As demonstrated through the success of these two very different projects, the glazed range responds to the need to set buildings apart and achieve striking designs by offering specifiers a varied and vibrant selection of brick solutions. The wide choice of colours and finishes, coupled with the ease of installation, means those tasked with creating stand-out design can do so with minimum effort.”

To obtain the latest issue of Design or find out more about the range of glazed bricks available, visit www.ibstock.com.

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Ibstock showcases stunning use of glazed brick

The latest edition of Ibstock’s inspirational ‘Design’ magazine is now available, showcasing the virtually limitless choice of colours, sizes and finishes from the UK’s largest brick maker’s industry-leading glazed brick range.

The new issue offers a comprehensive overview of the design possibilities achievable through use of glazed brick. It features a number of recent outstanding building projects where the flexibility, visibility and vibrancy of this brick style have been used to stunning effect.

Projects as diverse as Anglian Ruskin University, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, West Hampstead Station and Humberside Divisional Police Headquarters are just a few of the many award-winning architectural examples covered, where the use of glazed brick has helped to enhance the overall visual appeal of the structure.

The wide palette of colour options and finishes available, such as gloss, frosted, and satin, is also detailed within the edition, highlighting the variety on offer.

Andrew Halstead-Smith, Group Marketing Manager at Ibstock, comments: “The latest issue of ‘Design’ responds to the need to set buildings apart and achieve striking designs, by focusing on one of the most inspiring styles of brick. It brings together a number of examples of where glazed brick has made a significant contribution to the completion of a memorable building. A number of the projects have also been recognised at the BDA Brick Awards, testimony to the powerful impact of this brick style.

“There is a wide variety of colour, finish and size choices available within glazed brick. We even offer glow-in-the-dark options! The use of glazed bricks can add depth and intensity of colour to a building and they’re suitable for use across landscapes and all building types.

“Highly skilled ceramicists carefully mix the glazes to match the brick body and create beautiful tones of colours, which makes each glazed brick so unique. Manufactured from ultra-pure clays specially selected for their high quality and unique properties, Ibstock’s state-of-the-art technologies also ensure glazed bricks attain the highest possible standards of performance and finish to satisfy the most demanding of designs.”

To obtain the latest issue of Design or find out more about the range of glazed bricks available, visit www.ibstock.com

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