247 Wimbledon

Location: Wimbledon, London

Brick Manufacturer: Ibstock PLC

Brick Name: Swanage Handmade Light Red Multi 50mm

Architect: Emrys Architects

Brickwork Contractor: Langadale Associates

Tucked into the vibrant fabric of Southwest London, 247 Wimbledon is redefining the corporate office experience, offering a sophisticated and stylish alternative to central city locations. Designed by Emrys Architects, this striking development seamlessly merges the aesthetic elegance of traditional architecture with the functional demands of the modern workplace.

At the heart of the building’s distinctive visual appeal lies one of its most defining materials: Ibstock’s Swanage Handmade Light Red Multi 50mm bricks. Far more than a construction component, these bricks form the cornerstone of 247 Wimbledon’s design - offering depth, texture, and a timeless colour palette that pays homage to the area’s architectural heritage.

These handmade bricks - produced at Ibstock’s Swanage facility using locally sourced clay - are celebrated for their authenticity and character. Each brick is individually hand thrown into sanded moulds, creating subtle variations in tone and finish that lend the façade a rich, organic texture. It’s this artisanal process, combined with a colour that echoes the classic red hues stipulated by planning, that sets the development apart. The result is a building with soul - its façade warm, tactile and responsive to the changing London light.

This brickwork contrasts with the use of Ibstock’s Portland cast stone sills and, thanks to the building’s ample glazing, maximises the available natural light to the interior.

For Emrys Architects, the decision to work with Ibstock was as much about process as product. After an in-depth visit to the Swanage site, the architects collaborated closely with Ibstock’s in-house design specialists to fine-tune every aspect of the brickwork. The project required not only standard bricks but also a series of bespoke specials - including scalloped and fan-shaped bricks - crafted with exacting precision to achieve their bold architectural vision.

Beyond aesthetics, the bricks also provided technical flexibility, enabling the use of brick-faced GRC and brick slips that ensured the desired continuity across façades and detailing. The material palette - anchored by brick and Portland stone - helps to frame expansive glazing that floods the building’s 31,107 sq ft of premium office space with natural light.

Spanning four upper floors, a ground floor, and a basement, 247 Wimbledon combines clean lines with classical proportions. Every detail - from the welcoming, multifunctional reception with café and lounge to the garden terraces cascading along the rear - has been designed with modern working life in mind. But it’s the tactile elegance of Ibstock’s Swanage brick that gives the building its grounding in place and history.

Bold yet refined, modern yet timeless, 247 Wimbledon is a showcase of how thoughtful material choices - like Ibstock’s handmade bricks - can elevate architecture beyond the functional, into the realm of the inspirational.