We are back with another article of our It’s Trending series: Construction Bricks In Retail Design but also seen in hospitality are playing a key role in different markets now (you can download this article below).
Basically, anything with a terra-cotta feel has been used, redefined, modernized and given a new life in the recent two years. Today, bricks once used for construction purposes only have become a decorative element in interiors.
But first, a little history about the material itself
Bricks are one of the oldest known building materials as they have been used for building purposes at least since 7000 BC. Originally composed of clay, or composite mud bricks with straw as a binder, it was not until the mechanized mass production during the Industrial Revolution that bricks started to be used as a modern building material. Rapidly, brick structures replaced other raw materials like stone or rock and became the chosen material for the construction of commercial buildings. Also, thanks to the new hydraulic press technology, bricks were not only much more durable but of higher quality. In fact, they presented smoother surfaces as well as precise shapes and could be produced with molded ornamental shapes.
Brick colors usually defined also the place were it came from or was going to be used. For example, in Victorian London, due to the heavy fog, bright red bricks were chosen to make buildings more visible. Although the amount of red pigment was reduced in bricks production, red has remained the most desired color still to this day. In more recent times, some of the most famous architects of the 20th century chose this material, among them Le Corbusier, F. L. Wright, and Louis Khan.
1// Tigerlily Sydney Flagship Store by Room On Fire
Photography by Sean Fennessy
Design office Room On Fire took inspiration from Sydney’s coastal landscape and beaches for Tigerlily store. The outer façade is made of Bowral bricks, a locally manufactured building block characterized by a pale sandstone color. The perforation of a section of the brick façade allows light to pass through and adds an enchanting glow to the architectural element. The same motif is then repeated inside the store, creating a nice dialogue between inside and outside.
2// Aesop Park Slope Store by Frida Escobedo
Photography courtesy of Aesop
The modular and effortless element of the brick creates an incredibly intricate at the Aesop store in Brooklyn by Mexican architect Frida Escobedo. The building block was hand-made from Oaxacan red earth by a former student of Frida’s, Patricia Medivil, whose specialty is this specific rosy hue.
3// Coffee Nap Roasters in Seoul by Design Studio Maoom
Photography by Soulgraph Jin Seonggi
In the Coffee Nap Roasters 2nd in Seoul by Design Studio MAOOM, bricks are the chosen material to create an evocative space where to sit and relax for a moment. The designers got rid of tables and chairs and created a scenery where customers could live a new experience. There is no fixed sitting spot. Depending on your state of mind, the type of sight you want to enjoy, you can choose to sit in a particular place.
4// UR Shanghai flagship store by DOMANI
Photography by Feng Shao.
For the UR Shanghai flagship store, the Chinese firm DOMANI envisions a canyon-like structure created by red bricks. These represent the trace of the city architectural style of the early 1980s. The chosen material adds a particular grace to the overall architectural design, thanks to the different patterns created and the reflection of light on its surface.
5//Uchi Japanese Restaurant in Denver by Tres birds workshop
Photography by James Florio
Tres birds workshop was selected to design the Japanese restaurant Uchi in Denver. Using TBW’s experience in Japan as a foundation, the firm was able to bring Japanese sensibilities to the table while incorporating that which makes Denver unique.
The southern wall grabs the immediate attention of the guest after passing through the entrance. The wall is a composite of red and crystal bricks that refract the light as it streams into the dining room. As the sun sets, one can peer out from the inside to see the Denver skyline.
Our It’s Trending series features design movements that are already on the market, not having become a mainstream phenomenon yet but not widespread and impactful enough either to call it a Micro Trend.
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