I have seen some inspirational and amazing projects featuring painted brick in recent times. It’s almost become the material of choice, especially with architects. And, while I prefer bricks in all their natural beauty and texture, I can see where the attraction lies.
I think it’s because painted brick brings the simplicity sought after by architects, especially the restrained colour palette, while still providing the reassurance embodied in Australia’s most popular substrate.
Whether used as a uniting element for mixed materials, or by reflecting the trend towards mid-century modernism, brick adds longevity, strength and the ability to withstand harsh conditions.
It’s my feeling that Australians love whites, blacks and greys, while still enjoying a play with texture. We tend to be conservative when choosing exterior colour schemes, the rugged good looks of bricks add a tactile richness while paint can hide a dated colour choice, particularly for owners with brick homes of the 1960s and ’70s.
Brisbane architect Shaun Lockyer used white painted brick on the ground floor of The Long House project to create a mid-century modern aesthetic.
“The clients were interested in mid-century modern work, referencing white painted brick specifically, but they also wanted to contextualise the house in the sub-tropics,” Lockyer told Indulge magazine. “To this end, we proposed a mix of simple modern forms with some playful combinations of simple, timeless materials. We chose a random selection of bricks from PGH Bricks and had them painted.”
Taking inspiration from modernism, architects are now using painted bricks to unite older houses with a modern extension.
I feel Melbourne practice Kennedy Nolan displays this technique with great success in its acclaimed Belmont House renovation and extension, which featured a minimalistic look.