Canada Water K1

Location: London

Brick Manufacturers: Wienerberger Limited / Non-UK 

Brick Names: Super White / AAB - Red Silver Sand, Belgrave Red Multi

Architects: Morris+Company / White Ink

Brickwork Contractors: Callan Construction / FP McCann

At the heart of the ambitious Canada Water regeneration in south-east London, Plot K1 is a tenure-blind, 100% affordable residential development that balances architectural quality, community needs and natural context through the thoughtful and expressive use of clay brick. Designed for British Land by Morris+Company, K1 offers 79 dual-aspect homes set around a generous courtyard, with materials, massing and detailing deeply rooted in place.

Clay brick plays a leading role in unifying the building’s architectural narrative across contrasting conditions: the bustling urban edge of Roberts Close and the tranquil, verdant boundary of Russia Dock Woodland. Its versatility and timelessness allow K1 to act as both backdrop and landmark, grounding the scheme within its 19th-century industrial heritage while accommodating a contemporary, domestic scale that enhances liveability and identity.

On the exterior façades, a robust red clay brick reflects the architectural language of nearby warehouses and terraced housing. Its weight, colour and texture establish a sense of permanence and belonging, while articulating the street frontage with depth and rhythm. Projecting balconies emerge as lightweight metal interventions, intentionally contrasting with the solidity of the brick, further reinforcing the duality of strength and openness.

In contrast, the internal courtyard introduces a warm white clay brick softening the language of the massing and reflecting light into the central communal space. Here, brick takes on a more intimate tone, supporting the building’s role as home, haven and hub. This pale brick establishes a calm, coherent backdrop for shared and private outdoor areas, and subtly responds to the ecological setting of the adjacent woodland. The courtyard is animated by a generous raised deck structure - not only an efficient means of access to each apartment, but also a valuable communal amenity. It enables 100% dual-aspect homes, maximises views over the woodland, and creates a shared platform for neighbourly interaction, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

A standout feature is the junction between the red and white bricks - a stitched corner detail that weaves the two environments together. This moment of crafted contrast offers a contemporary interpretation of Victorian brickwork, enhancing the tactile and visual interest of the envelope, and showcasing the material’s ability to carry both heritage and innovation.

From a performance perspective, clay brick offers critical advantages durability, low maintenance, and natural thermal mass supporting the development’s sustainability ambitions without compromising aesthetic integrity.

Above all, clay brick in Canada Water K1 does more than clad a building it forms its character. Through its nuanced use, the material frames views, marks thresholds, articulates community, and quietly reflects the changing light and life of its woodland edge. K1 is a compelling demonstration of how clay brick, when deployed with sensitivity and precision, can transform a complex brief into a civic and architectural success story.