Six Columns

This home for a director of 31/44 Architects showcases how careful material selection can enable a building to shift in character as one approaches - from street-friendly neighbour to richly detailed personal statement.

The success of Six Columns lies in its sophisticated manipulation of materials and scale. wienerberger's Staffordshire Smooth Brown brick forms a precise plinth at ground level, its crisp wire-cut finish creating a sharp foundation that anchors the building to its site. This choice of brick proves crucial in achieving what the architects describe as a "discrete but not meek" presence in the streetscape.

The selection of Wienerberger's Staffordshire Smooth Brown brick was fundamental to the design approach. Its clean lines and consistent finish allowed the designers to create a contemporary interpretation of traditional architectural elements while maintaining material authenticity. The brick's precise edges were essential in achieving the sharp detailing desired for the plinth level.

The building's sophisticated brickwork detailing showcases the versatility of wienerberger's product. A stepping brick wall, inspired by Louisiana Museum north of Copenhagen, demonstrates the material's ability to create dynamic architectural expressions. This is further enhanced by innovative details including perforated stack-bonded panels over bathroom windows, creating a modern interpretation of traditional rustication.

The architects' manipulation of the Staffordshire Smooth Brown brick extends to the interior, where painted brickwork at ground level creates a robust yet refined atmosphere. This treatment, combined with exposed concrete frame elements, establishes a brutalist material honesty that supports the house's 'unfinished' ethos - allowing for evolution and adaptation over time.

Technical considerations were carefully balanced with aesthetic ambitions. The house sits on screw piles positioned to protect an existing tree's root system, while the brick construction contributes to the building's environmental performance. Triple glazing and an air source heat pump complement the thermal mass provided by the masonry construction, creating an energy-efficient home that doesn't compromise on architectural expression.

The winner of a 2024 Brick Award, judges praised how the clay materials were "well-chosen and added to the overall design impact from the street." This impact is achieved through thoughtful detailing that gives the brick both visual and tactile appeal - from the precise coursing of the plinth to the textured play of the stepped wall sections. When combined with a green marble panel at the entrance, these elements add what the architects describe as "civic luxury" to the streetscape.

Six Columns demonstrates how wienerberger's products can support architecture that is both personally meaningful and publicly generous. The home successfully navigates between private expression and public contribution, using materials to create a building that enriches its context while providing a deeply personal living space for its inhabitants.

Will Burgess BA(Hons)/DipArch/RIBA, director at 31/44 Architects, commented: “The materials for Six Columns were selected for aesthetic and practical reasons. For the lower level of the house we wanted a matt finish sharp brick that could be precisely laid and cast sharp shadows with the different brick bonds – essential also was the availability of the Staffordshire Smooth Brown in a solid format so that when the upper and lower faces are exposed to the elements (and the eyes!) they still look good and perform well.”