A Material That Meets Constantly Changing Standards
As the construction industry adapts to ever-evolving regulations and future standards, materials that can balance performance, compliance, and sustainability are more important than ever.
Clay brick offers a straightforward solution, naturally durable, thermally efficient, and inherently compliant with UK Building Regulations. Its adaptability ensures it remains a trusted choice as new performance targets, such as those under the Future Homes Standard, come into effect.
A Headquarters Built for Lifesaving Work
Completed in 2023, the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s new headquarters in Shropshire is a prime example of clay brick in action.
Designed by Inspire Architects and built by Morris Property, the 8,100 sq ft facility consolidates the charity’s airbase, clinical training centre, and head office, providing a modern environment to support its lifesaving operations.
The building replaces an outdated site that no longer met capacity, compliance, or sustainability expectations.
To deliver on these demands, 90,000 of Ibstock’s Cooksbridge Yellow bricks were specified, a third of which were donated by Ibstock. The warm tone of the bricks creates a welcoming aesthetic while ensuring technical compliance and long-term resilience.
Performance That Delivers on Compliance
Ibstock’s Cooksbridge Yellow bricks is a great example of how modern clay bricks combine strength, reliability, and efficiency. Designed to withstand harsh weather and frost, graded as F2, it offers long-term resilience with minimal maintenance. Its balanced composition helps prevent staining and ensures a consistent finish, while its natural thermal properties support energy efficiency.
Fire performance was a particular priority for the new headquarters. The traditional Cooksbridge Yellow bricks, rated Class A1, provide the highest possible fire performance, ensuring full compliance with UK Building Regulations Part B (Fire Safety) and giving designers, specifiers, and building owners complete peace of mind. The project also incorporated Ibstock’s Nexus system, an innovative brick-faced support system that simplifies installation while delivering exceptional levels of fire safety.
A Future-Proof Material
As compliance demands grow, clay brick continues to prove itself as a material ready for the future, balancing technical performance, aesthetic value, and long-term resilience.
The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity headquarters demonstrates this perfectly: a project that not only meets today’s regulations but is built to perform for decades to come.
Brick Bulletin | Feature 270
