Behold 73-75 Avenue Road, a
magnificent Georgian work of art on one of London’s most prestigious streets.
Its construction with meticulously handcrafted, wood fired clay bricks from H.G.
Matthews assures a design life of more than 150 years, providing robust shelter
against the elements, even amidst the intensifying effects of climate change.
The handmade, wood-fired bricks are crafted with great skill by H.G. Matthews -
a process that has been passed down through generations.
The project occupies a unique
double site at 73-75 Avenue Road; during the second world war the number 73
incurred significant bomb damage, resulting in its subsequent demolition. Over
time, this site was acquired by the previous owners of number 75 and a pool was
built, bringing the total area of the site to an acre.
HG Matthews’ legacy is remarkable: they have been making bricks by hand for 100 years! Each brick is meticulously crafted to produce a unique sand crease on the surface that adds character to any building it becomes a part of. In fact, H.G. Matthews is the only company in the UK still producing wood-fired bricks today. Recently celebrating our centenary, our family-owned business has been the only brickmaking company to utilise wood for centuries-old traditional brick firing techniques. Handcrafted with passionate care and expertise, our bricks are the gold standard of quality.
Renewable wood sources are used, instead of fossil fuels, to fire the kilns and the drying sheds are heated with biomass in an attempt to minimise the impact on the environment.
The properties sustainability
is not a fleeting concept, but rather a lasting dedication to building for
generations. Clay brick stands as a timeless testament to the power of natural
construction materials, capable of facing any assaults from the elements,
providing generations with robust and healthy living spaces. Additionally, the
property utilises a ground source heat pump with ground loups drilled to a
depth of 75m to further add to its sustainability.
