Think Brick

Jimmy has wide ranging experience from social housing to high end residential and hotel accommodation, as well as in hospitality, student housing and aged care projects.

He is responsible for all concept, built form, live-ability and sustainability outcomes at MJA. Jimmy works tightly with his team to ensure that commercial nous can be balanced with design solutions which respond to local context, heritage and environment in a way that incorporates a sense of whimsy and delight.

In this episode, your host, Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, Jimmy Thompson, have an interesting conversation which covers topics such as;

• Growing up in perth, WA
• Drawing the future of Perth city as a kid
• Studying in Western Australia and having encouraging peers
• What is means to "Design like you give a damn"
• Challenges when it comes to his approach in architecture
• The importance of community consultation for projects
• The different threads of climate and context in terms of architecture
• "Talk to the past, understand the present and anticipate the future" as a practice
• Why he loves brick
• and much more...

This episode and many others can be found on all major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Rate & Subscribe to our podcast to never miss out a new episode. You can also let us know who you want to hear next and what topics we should talk about by leaving us a Review on Apple Podcasts.

Mentioned in this episode:

Perth

MJA Studio

Think Brick Top 40

George Street Project

Think Brick Awards

Social & Links

Follow @ThinkBrickAustralia on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Follow @mjastudio on Instagram

Textured walls or corbelled walls, are a unique type of brick wall. Instead of the masonry units being flush throughout the construction, bricks in a textured wall is laid in a manner that makes them appear as if it is protruding and overhanging from the wall.

As textures brick walls can facilitate many different patterns and configurations, this technique can provide a bespoke look to a brick wall, adding to the overall character.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and structural engineer Michael Koungras, will be taking a deep dive into textured brick walls.

The podcast incorporates the following topics:

• The aesthetic benefits of textured brick walls;
• Design requirements as per AS3700;
• The difference between in plane corbelling and out of plane corbelling;
• Which type of brick unit should be used when building a corbelled brick wall;
• Bond types and strengths a textured brick wall can have;
• The safety aspects we need to consider when building this type of wall;
• and much more..

This episode and many others can be found on all major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Rate & Subscribe to our podcast to never miss out a new episode. You can also let us know who you want to hear next and what topics we should talk about by leaving us a Review on Apple Podcasts.

Think Brick Technical Factsheets

Think Brick Technical Manuals

The National Construction Code

Australian Building Codes Board

Follow @ThinkBrickAustralia on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Clare Cousins established her Melbourne practice, Clare Cousins Architects, in 2005. Engaged in projects large and small, the studio has a particular interest in housing and projects that nurture community.

Clare has extensive experience in the design and delivery of residential projects ranging from adaptive reuse, bespoke houses and community minded multi-residential projects. She has an interest in delivering high-quality, affordable housing and believes that good design should be available to all.

In this episode, your host, Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, Clare Cousins, have an invigorating conversation which covers topics such as;

• Growing up in Melbourne and Europe
• Becoming an architecture student at RMIT
• Going against the grain and how this could evolve into something great
• The pricelessness of travelling and being exposed to architecture
• Her first architectural jobs
• Beginning a career with Mel Bright and being friends to this day
• Women in architecture
• The direction brick is going in the future
• and much more...

This episode and many others can be found on all major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Rate & Subscribe to our podcast to never miss out a new episode. You can also let us know who you want to hear next and what topics we should talk about by leaving us a Review on Apple Podcasts.

Mentioned in this episode:

RMIT

Mel Bright

Australian Institute of Architecture

Roger Wood from WoodMarsh

Think Brick Awards

Social & Links

Follow @ThinkBrickAustralia on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Follow @clarecousins on Instagram

When designing a house that is energy efficient, we should always strive to implement the best design practices to reduce our reliance on artificial heating and cooling. This goal can be easily accomplished using masonry products.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Structural engineer Michael Koungras, will be exploring the benefits of energy efficiency and how these can be applicable to your home.

The podcast incorporates the following topics:

• How the orientation of a home can effect its energy efficiency;
• Window positioning;
• Material selection;
• How to Increase the energy performance of external facade systems;
• What thermal performance is and how bricks can achieve a high energy efficiency rating;
• A brief walk through of the National Construction Code for 2022 which has an emphasis on energy efficiency in buildings;
• and much more..

This episode and many others can be found on all major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Rate & Subscribe to our podcast to never miss out a new episode. You can also let us know who you want to hear next and what topics we should talk about by leaving us a Review on Apple Podcasts.

Think Brick Technical Factsheets

Think Brick Technical Manuals

The National Construction Code

Australian Building Codes Board

Follow @ThinkBrickAustralia on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Koichi Takada belongs to a new generation of architects that strive to bring nature back into the urban environment — an approach he matured after living in cities: Tokyo, New York and London. Koichi established his practice in 2008. He has brought a Japanese sensibility to Australian Architecture, each project embodying his commitment to organic form and consideration for human experience.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, Koichi Takada will have some important conversations about sustainability within the built environment and Koichi's path into architecture.

Listen to the full episode to discover more of the following;

• Growing up in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan;
• How Koichi's upbringing influenced his venture into architecture;
• Being a BMX pro in Japan;
• Living and studying in New York and London;
• Bring an interpreter for big architects and how this led to huge career opportunities;
• Koichi's appreciation for Sydney City;
• His drive to combine nature into the built environment;
• The background behind his iconic project - Arc, a 2019 Think Brick Awards Winner;
• and much more..

This episode and many others can be found on all major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Rate & Subscribe to our podcast to never miss out a new episode. You can also let us know who you want to hear next and what topics we should talk about by leaving us a Review on Apple Podcasts.

Mentioned in this episode:

BMX

Architecture Association

Arc

Rem Koolhaas

Think Brick Awards

Social & Links

Follow @ThinkBrickAustralia on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Follow @koichitakadaarchitects on Instagram

Repointing and Tuckpointing are refurbishment processes that provide an aesthetic 'facelift' for old masonry walls, making the brickwork look almost brand new.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Think Brick's civil engineer, Matthew Ching, will explain the repointing and tuckpointing process and the associated benefits.

The podcast incorporates the following topics:

• The durability and longevity of bricks compared to the mortar that holds the brick together;
• What it takes to repoint a masonry wall;
• The processes of repointing and tuckpointing;
• The benefits that come with this process;
• The reasons why a professional tuckpointer is recommended (instead of doing it yourself);
• and much more..

This episode and many others can be found on all major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Rate & Subscribe to our podcast to never miss out a new episode. You can also let us know who you want to hear next and what topics we should talk about by leaving us a Review on Apple Podcasts.

Think Brick Technical Factsheets

Think Brick Technical Manuals

The National Construction Code

Australian Building Codes Board

Follow @ThinkBrickAustralia on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Mel has led the Studio Bright team since starting the practice in 2006. A Melbourne based practice that has gathered a collection of diverse and highly acclaimed built work. Through Studio Bright, Mel has amassed a portfolio of significant and award-winning projects, that have been widely published and recognised at state and national levels.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, Mel Bright will discuss Mel's experience of architecture and vibrant life.

Listen to the full episode to discover more of the following:

• Growing up in suburban Melbourne;
• The many different skill sets required to be an architect;
• Travelling around South East Asia and Europe just out of uni, for work;
• Mel's career defining moments and the projects which helped shape it;
• Beginning Studio Bright, and the studio's approach to sustainable design;
• How the Think Brick Awards inspired Mel;
• and much more...

This episode and many others can be found on all major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Rate & Subscribe to our podcast to never miss out a new episode. You can also let us know who you want to hear next and what topics we should talk about by leaving us a Review on Apple Podcasts.

Mentioned in this episode:

RMIT

LAB Architecture Studio

Studio Bright

Little Brick Studio

Think Brick Awards

Social & Links

Follow @ThinkBrickAustralia on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Follow @studio__bright on Instagram

Mortar is a key component of masonry and it combines the masonry units together, whether that be clay or concrete masonry. Mortar makes up 15% of masonry, which makes it quite a sizeable proportion of the colour people see when viewing masonry structures.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Think Brick's civil engineer, Matthew Ching, will explain why mortar matters.

The podcast incorporates the following topics:

• How to achieve consistency when mixing mortar;
• Choosing a mortar colour which will give the aesthetic effect wanted by the client;
• Absorption level of the brick being used, and how this may effect your mortar;
• How brick cleaning can effect your mortar;
• Environmental impacts that may change the colour of the dried mortar;
• and much more..

This episode and many others can be found on all major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Rate & Subscribe to our podcast to never miss out a new episode. You can also let us know who you want to hear next and what topics we should talk about by leaving us a Review on Apple Podcasts.

Think Brick Technical Factsheets

Think Brick Technical Manuals

The National Construction Code

Australian Building Codes Board

Follow @ThinkBrickAustralia on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Geoff Warn is a highly respected practitioner and founder of With_Architecture Studio, an multi award winning design practice, bringing particular experience in urban design, master planning, arts projects, educational projects, civic architecture and technical buildings. Throughout his career of over 40 years, Geoff has been an enthusiastic leader, promoter and spokesperson for the value of design excellence and creative practice.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, Geoff Warn will discuss Geoff's path to becoming the renowned architect he is today.

Listen to the full episode to discover more of the following:

• Growing up in Western Australia, Perth, and studying architecture at Curtin University;
• Being the first architect in the family;
• The way architecture became a passion in Geoff's life;
• Influences such as Archie Graham and Claes Oldenburg;
• Meeting Bill Busfield and finding him to become a great mentor;
• Impressions made by Iwan Iwanoff;
• The many coincidences that landed Geoff in the architectural profession;
• What it was like working in London for British Petroleum (BP) ;
• Travelling around the world and creating valuable connections and networks, which he still has today;
• Becoming the Western Australian government architect and the outcomes and learning experiences from this;
• The prominence of bricks in Western Australia;
• and much more...

This episode and many others can be found on all major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Rate & Subscribe to our podcast to never miss out a new episode. You can also let us know who you want to hear next and what topics we should talk about by leaving us a Review on Apple Podcasts.

Mentioned in this episode:

With_Architecture Studio

Curtin University

Claes Oldenburg

Iwan Iwanoff

British Petroleum

Think Brick Awards

Social & Links

Follow @ThinkBrickAustralia on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Follow @with_architecturestudio on Instagram

Mortar is integral to masonry structures, and it is what makes masonry, masonry. It can be defined as a workable paste which hardens to bind building materials such as bricks. It ensures your masonry structure is both stable and aesthetically pleasing.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Think Brick's Structural Engineer, Michael Koungras will explain why mortar matters.

The podcast incorporates the following topics:

• The different mortar joint finishes;
• How mortar will impact the look of your wall;
• The minimum thickness of your mortar, regardless of brick size;
• Environmental conditions that may impact your mortar;
• and much more..

This episode and many others can be found on all major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Rate & Subscribe to our podcast to never miss out a new episode. You can also let us know who you want to hear next and what topics we should talk about by leaving us a Review on Apple Podcasts.

Think Brick Technical Factsheets

Think Brick Technical Manuals

The National Construction Code

Australian Building Codes Board

Follow @ThinkBrickAustralia on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook