Bradmore Way

Location: Croydon

Brick Manufacturer: Ketley Brick Company Ltd

Brick Name: Linium Brick (215mm x 18mm)

Architect: Harp & Harp Ltd

Brickwork Contractor: Virtue Property Group

The project consists of a single block arranged over three storeys, containing 7 units (3 houses, 2 maisonettes and 2 flats) replacing a single detached house. The site sits on a steep gradient, with the rear of the site 10m lower than the front. This results in a building with a complex sectional arrangement with the houses accessed from lower ground floor whilst flats and maisonettes are accessed from the upper ground floor. The houses sit at either end of the block whilst the maisonettes are at the centre with 2 flats above.

Architecturally, the building sits in a pleasant but staid suburban setting, the character defined by the inter war, sub arts and crafts vernacular language of most of the surrounding homes. The design responds to this character with a building that is recognisable and vernacular in silhouette with prominent gabled forms and low slung eaves, feeling comfortable and contextual in the streetscape but with a detail and refinement that is contemporary and confident. Features found on the road are referenced but reinterpreted in contemporary form with the architecture elevated with the bold green and red used on windows, railings and woodwork which aims to further lift the architecture above its more muted setting. 

The masonry and brickwork were a key consideration of the project from the start of the design process. Although the context features extensive use of render, the decision was made for the building to be entirely clay brick because of its durability and ability to get better with the patina of age. The base brick was selected because of its handmade quality and tonal variation. Whilst the existing context pairs its brickwork with render, here a super thin Linium brick (215mm x 18mm) from Ketley brick is used. Creasing tiles are used extensively in nearby buildings but mainly as a detailing device. At Bradmore Way, it's application is reinterpreted with the Linium bricks not just as a detail element but as a cladding material across the façade at both GF and LGF. This approach sits perfectly with the overall architectural expression, playfully referencing the context but subverting the features you would expect to find in a more contemporary and playful way.

The combination of the brick and linium bricks provides beautiful contrast and relief, working particularly well where the two materials sit side by side. Despite both being clay, they not only have proportional but textural difference (the linium bricks are much smoother) adding to the richness of the building. The façade is given further detail and refinement via the use of brick detailing; subtle diaper patterning is used on the two end houses (which particularly comes to life to varying degrees across the day depending on where the sun hits) whilst brick and tile arches offer further enrichment to the composition.

The result is a building which celebrates its brick and masonry construction, one that feels robust and heavyweight but also playful and joyful through its detail and refinement across the composition.