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design
mag |
73
Coming out of the ground at the UQ St
Lucia campus is a brick-built ground-floor
extension to the refurbished Chemistry
Building, a tall building constructed from in
situ concrete.
Why brick? It’s complicated but another
example of the m3 approach to materiality
and specificity.The existing concrete is
patterned from its rough-sawn timber
formwork. So concrete takes on the notion
of timber. Metal screens mimic the vertical
patterns of the formwork.And the stack-
bonded, vertical brickwork extends its
language to take on the vertical forms of
the concrete!
Hidden away in the reglets* and in the
joints, and occasionally even in a brick are
some unexpected materials to catch the
eye and inject that element of joy and
surprise. Simple really and quite playful.
There’s no doubt that many of m3’s projects
challenge the status quo. So it is not
surprising that they have won multiple
awards and been presented at the Venice
Architecture Biennale on three occasions.
So what is their secret to winning over clients
and contractors to their often-challenging
concepts?
“You need clients and builders who are
great supporters of these kinds of projects,”
says Mike Lavery.“Any great project has had
several people stick their neck out along
the way.
“The most common reaction we get when
we finish a project is that the contractors
involved are really glad that they made the
effort.We are looking for ways to celebrate
their knowledge and their craft, and when
they understand that they really take to it.
“The joy of that craft is completely and
utterly evident in any good brick building,”
Mike Lavery concludes.“We remain
interested and excited by brickwork.”
* A narrow strip separating moulding.
Project:
Chemistry Building
Location:
The University of
Queensland, St Lucia
Structural engineer:
Bligh Tanner
Builder:
Stewart Constructions
Bricklayer:
Total Blocks
Featured products:
Bowral Bricks
Bowral Blue and Charolais Cream
dry-pressed clay bricks