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design
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creates shadowplay.The majority of the walling
is conventional two-dimensional, although the
“dot-dash” rhythm of the Flemish bond is
unexpected.
Site context – this is a heritage precinct with
old warehouses, light industrial sites and
workers’ cottages – was also a factor in
selecting brick as was maintenance.“Since
CEHL retain ownership of most apartments, it
needs to be as low maintenance as possible,”
says Bachimov.“Obviously brick fits into this
category perfectly.”
KANNFINCH normally works on large
commercial projects and Bachimov admits
that his brickwork skills were a little rusty but
says it was a “great experience. It took me
back to the days when I started, when I worked
on extensions and houses and you had to
understand the courses and where the
windows site and so on.”
He praised the work of the bricklaying team
who rose to the challenge of the
unconventional bond and the design details.
“I’m glad this art hasn’t been lost.We were
blessed with a contractor who had subbies on
the site who could perform these skilful
artforms.”
The brickwork veneer is laid on shelf angles,
flying past the slab edges to create a uniform
soffit.The insulated brickwork mass assisted the
buildings to achieve a 6.2 Stars NatHERS rating,
along with double glazing, solar-boosted gas
hot water and rainwater collection.“Brick
played an important part in reaching some of
these ESD targets,” says Bachimov.“It takes the
brunt of the external temperature fluctuations.”
Unsurprisingly, the townhouses and private
apartments sold promptly after the
development’s completion in May 2013.
In other good news, the Harold Boot Company,
which traces its roots back to 15th century
Leicestershire, successfully relocated to a
nearby suburb, only its fifth move since 1650!
The company continues to manufacture
high-quality equestrian and dress boots, some
under the Polo Ralph Lauren label.
All of which goes to show that quality and
good design will always find a ready market, a
fact that applies equally to footwear and
housing, as it does to Daniel Robertson’s
distinctive clay bricks.
previous opening.
The complex, a
blend of townhouses and apartments,
is managed by a non-profit community
housing company.Almost half of the
apartments are let for public housing.
this opening.
The handsome facade of
the former boot factory was retained
on two street elevations with the new
work set back from the street.A row of
townhouses occupy the side street.The
hit-and-miss (perforated) brickwork
allows privacy and adds texture and
interest to the walling.