For centuries, bricks have been used to construct walls, floors, pavements, arches, and other elements in the masonry and architectural worlds. Bricks have a staying power and are known for their unique features and patterns that make them adaptable and structurally appealing. Over the years, bricks have been widely used in residential and commercial buildings, and the legacy is unmatched.
Today, architects choose bricks when building new and innovative structures that are meant to be modern, unique, and functional. In this article, we have discussed a few reasons why bricks are still popular in modern architecture despite being a traditional building material.
Unlike most modern materials, bricks have the best weathering characteristics. They have excellent longevity and require little to no maintenance. Most homeowners with brick houses rarely clean or maintain the brick walls, but the structures still maintain that detailed, earthy, and vintage touch. Additionally, the clay’s thermal insulating properties and natural density give bricks some energy-efficient thermal properties. This makes them very sustainable in the long run. In case of chips or cracks in the bricklayers, you can schedule some simple brick repair, repointing, or replacement services.
Some people choose a building material not because it’s cheap or readily available but because it has a history written to it. Bricks have passed through cultures and civilizations and are considered a significant human invention that traverses historical and contemporary designs. If you want to create a striking piece of architecture, bricks give you the avenue to go beyond the ordinary.
Some brick architecture elements such as vaults, arches, reveals, and banding are common with historic buildings, but you can have them incorporated into your modern structure. You just need to work with an expert architect who can add splendor to your modern brick structure and inspire that rustic feel. Similarly, some brick textures, shapes, and bond patterns are so detailed and unique that incorporating them into your design can turn your structure into an architectural marvel.
Nowadays, people love modern home designs thanks to their emphasis on natural lighting, versatile living spaces, the use of glass, and minimalist, clean lines. Besides being a conventional building material, which has been available for thousands of years, bricks still give architects the bandwidth to experiment with different colors, shapes, sizes, and bonds.
When using bricks, architects achieve the modern design style by prioritizing the texture of the exterior walls while designing for maximum natural lighting, flat roofs, and open spaces. The versatility of these building materials also makes them relevant for various designs. For instance, bricks can be laid differently to get a unique pattern, or the color and profile joints can be modified to achieve spectacular facades.
When people think of modern architecture or homes with indoor-outdoor designs, they immediately think of glass homes with large windows and lots of natural lighting. Typically, the idea of using brick walls has a bad reputation among people who believe that glass and bricks cannot co-exist in a modern home.
However, several modern homes use bricks and glass to achieve a minimalist look. Whether you are choosing brick material for its versatility, rich history, or low maintenance, you want to work with an expert architect to ensure you get the best results possible.
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