Brickworks Launches Over 100 New Building Products.

I’m sure most designers and architects would agree building materials are the cornerstone of good design. They are the bedrock of built forms, the foundation of architecture – how we sculpt and manifest buildings before anything else goes on top or within them, be it services, finishes, furniture and furnishings.

Needless to say, I was extremely excited when I first heard about Brickworks’ audacious plan for B20 – the launch of an extraordinary amount of new building products unveiled last week. I was also truly honoured to be invited by Brickworks to host this significant event, and build on our ongoing working relationship, friendship, and a shared passion for bricks. It has been an absolute privilege to be involved with the unveiling of such an extraordinary range of products and materials that will be sure to set the benchmark for Australian architecture and design.

Related: Kite Breeze: Adam Goodrum’s Contemporary Take on Traditional Breeze Block for Brickworks.

Dana Tomic Hughes, Founder & Editor of Yellowtrace and Brett Ward, General Manager International Marketing at Brickworks, the hosts of Brickworks B20. See the recording of the launch event here.

Brickworks B20 Showcase Edit. To watch the recording of the entire launch, click here.

Simply put, Brickworks B20 is the boldest product launch of the year, and the biggest in Brickworks’ history.

“Having been with Brickworks for the last 26 years, I can definitely say that this is by far the biggest, boldest and most beautiful range of products we have ever released,” said Brett Ward, General Manager International Marketing at Brickworks, who was also the B20 co-host.

With over one hundred (!!) new products and countless colours to choose from, the 2020 Spring/Summer collection is like no other. In collaboration with their customers and experts from across the globe, Brickworks created a new collection of products designed to inspire, excite and endure.

From NSW, Sculptured Sands are traditional sandstock bricks from Austral Bricks. The collection was inspired and formed by nature and includes the natural series and opaque collection. The range has a soft velvet sand texture, emulating the colours of the earth, available in 13 colours developed in consultation with architects and local designers. Each brick is thrown into an individual mould coated in sand and sawdust, helping to create the varying texture of bricks. In order to produce the opaque collection, each brick is further coated with a ceramic wash.

Sculptured Sands from Austral Bricks.

Sculptured Sands colour inspiration.

From South Australia comes the new Forest range inspired by SA’s natural habitats – a collection of five lush, richly textured bricks in earthy colours.

From Victoria, Laneway Collection from Austral Brick’s Nubrik brand is an homage to the character of Melbourne’s back streets and laneways.

These solid bricks are still crafted the same way since the 1960s on traditional brick presses.

Brickworks Managing Director, Lindsay Partridge, saw an opportunity earlier this year to rapidly expedite Brickworks new product efforts through newly established product development teams.

“It was clear in February and March, that the pandemic would change the way we work and live, but it also became apparent it would accelerate changes already underway,” says Lindsay. “Post the pandemic, the world was going to be different. The businesses who could best identify those changes and capitalise on them would thrive and those that could not, would fail.”

Brickworks saw an opportunity to prepare for the post-pandemic world head-on, by developing their best product ranges – or in Lindsay’s words – “Products like you have never seen, bolder than you ever imagined.”

New from Queensland, Mineral Contours range is available in four neutral colours. The subtle variations in tone come down to the quality of the clay, the natural additives and firing techniques. For Mineral Contours, the team sourced pure white clays to enable them to create contemporary colours.

Mineral Contours colour inspiration.

Mineral Contours from Austral Bricks.

B20 is the result of six months on reinventing their product line up – “It is amazing what can be achieved when there is little else to do and you have laser-like focus because your job depends on it,” says Lindsay.

Brickworks saw the trend to new colours underway before the pandemic, but their range reflected 30 years of monochromatic demand. With the new collection, a shift to varied, complex colours and moving toward a recycled look in some lines can be seen.

One of my personal favourites from B20 are these three speciality bricks from Brickworks’ long term Spanish partner, La Paloma. “Their beautiful standard bricks have been used in some of the best architecture in Australia, including The Calile Hotel, designed by Richards and Spence,” says Brett Ward. “This range extension includes three very unique products. A mosaic, a curved brick and a combed brick, all available in two colours – an off white and metallic blue/grey – and can be laid the same way as standard bricks.” 

One of La Paloma speciality bricks in situ.

“In the spirit of our ongoing collaborations, both locally and internationally, I am delighted to introduce our latest international discovery, Nelissen collection from Belgium,” says Brett. “Nelissen’s story started 99 years ago and is a story of continuous innovation. It is also a family story, with four generations of brick makers continuing a legacy of unique products with outstanding quality, “ continues Brett. “These products are carefully handmade, displaying a rustic texture and European craftsmanship.”

Nelissen bricks are fired in a tunnel kiln under a slightly reduced atmosphere, producing a range of eight stunning colours.

The making of Nelissen bricks.

B20 has expanded Brickworks’ carbon neutral range and lead the way in sustainable manufacturing. Further to this, Austral Bricks is the only company in Australia that guarantees the use of their product for 100 years – with brick that can be recycled or reused over and over again.

“Our belief of making beautiful products that last forever is now more important than ever as we move on from the concept of temporary solutions and ‘built-in obsolescence’, to a world where we value resources and our environment more carefully,” says Lindsay.

Daniel Robertson’s carbon-neutral range Outlander.

Outlander is inspired by the famous, rugged landscapes of the Tasmanian wilderness. With eight unique colours in both a straight edge and rugged texture, the complexity of the collection means that no two bricks are alike.

From NSW hails an updated classic from Bowral Bricks, dubbed Bowral Blends, with nine colours to choose from.

Crescent House by Deicke Richards featuring Capitol Red and Hereford Bronze Bowral Bricks. Photo by Christopher Frederick Jones.

From QLD, Panorama 50 Collection is a contemporary linear format perfect for stackbonded laying.

Stratos collection was inspired by the drama of nature, clouds and Australia’s coastal landscape.

Stratos Bricks collection from VIC has a marble texture, available in 4 beautiful shades of grey.

B20 launched products from across Australia – NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, TAS and WA. The launch also sees exciting new collections from Belgium, Spain and Italy for the grand total of over 100 new products.

To see the entire B20 range click here, or you can watch the recording of the launch event here.

And stay tuned for a detailed overview of one of B20’s hero products – Kite Breeze developed in collaboration with Sydney industrial designer, Adam Goodrum.

Related: Your Invitation to B20 – Brickworks’ Biggest & Boldest Product Launch to Date!

SK1NS Terracotta Cladding in situ. “We are seeing the use of materiality extending across the floor, walls and roof structures, so this new product can be used as both a rain screen and as a roofing material,” says Brett Ward.

SK1NS terracotta façade system is produced by Italian brick manufacturer San Selmo, available in two finishes and seven colours.

Brickworks B20 Launch Event

This Yellowtrace Promotion is proudly created in partnership with Brickworks. All related thoughts and ideas reflect our genuine opinion. Like everything we do at Yellowtrace, our sponsored content is carefully curated to maintain utmost relevance to our readers.

[Brickwrosk B20 behind-the-scenes event photos by Alexander Mayes. Product photography by Nick Bowers.]