Think Brick

The National Construction Code (NCC) provides the minimum necessary requirements for all new buildings and new building work in Australia. The NCC is a uniform document that sets technical provisions for building, plumbing and drainage installations throughout Australia, regardless of climate zone, geological or geographical locations.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Think Brick’s senior structural engineer, Michael Koungras will introduce you to the structural, sustainability, safety, health, and amenity design requirements for masonry systems. The podcast encompasses the following topics:

• Structural Design of Masonry Walls;
• Fire Safety Design;
• Acoustic Performance Provisions;
• Energy Efficiency Requirements; and
• Moisture Management Considerations.

Thinking Brick? Have any topic you would like us to discuss? Let Us Know! We want to connect with you, just like mortar connects with bricks.

Mentioned in the episode:

Think Brick Technical Factsheets

Think Brick Technical Manuals

The National Construction Code

Australian Building Codes Board

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Adrian Spence is the Director of Richards & Spence Architecture. Adrian graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1996 and have practiced in his hometown for over 20 years, including BVN and Donovan Hill. Following this, Adrian and his partner, Ingrid formed their own architecture firm in 2008, Richards & Spence.

Richards & Spence is a multi-award-winning architecture studio that specializes in the creation of built infrastructure as a catalyst for civic interaction. Their practice is broad-ranging from bespoke furniture commissions; to houses and restaurants; and larger-scale retail, commercial, residential and mixed-use developments.

Over the past decade, the practice has been instrumental in the development of the James Street precinct in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. The highlight of the precinct is the largest and most ambitious building, The Calile Hotel, which was completed in 2018 and was awarded a High Commendation of the Think Brick Awards in the following year. Richards and Spence also won the Kevin Borland Masonry Award of the 2014 Think Brick Awards with their stunning project, Clayfield House.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre will chat with Adrian Spence to dissect the history of his personal and professional experiences, and the story behind the development of James Street precinct, Brisbane’s ‘foremost retail and lifestyle precinct’. 

Listen to this episode to explore more about the following:

• What influenced Adrian to pick architecture as a profession
• His first project for Brisbane International Airport working in document control
• How Adrian began his own architecture firm, Richards & Spence Architecture in 2008
• How Adrian and his partner, Ingrid approached architecture as a team and how they handled conflicting perspectives
• Adrian’s design philosophy with brick as a building material
• How Adrian transformed the James Street Precinct from a collection of dull industrial buildings to a lively and bustling neighbourhood
• The challenges during the development of James Street Precinct
• How continuing to build upon James Street Precinct’s identity through the development of Calile Hotel has reshaped Brisbane
• How his favourite brick building, Grundtvig's Church in Copenhagen, has influenced his architectural approach
• Adrian’s experience as a Think Brick Awards juror

Mentioned in this episode:

Richards and Spence

James Street Precinct

The Calile Hotel

Grundtvig's Church

Think Brick Awards

Awards Showcase

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Richards and Spence Instagram

Think Brick Instagram

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Segmental pavements are an aesthetic design choice which provides distinct character to any residential property. The modular nature of the paver provides the designer with the opportunity to creatively experiment with a plethora of natural colours, shapes and sizes to create distinct patterns and inclusive spaces.

Although segmental pavements are commonly used in open pedestrian spaces, their strength and durability see them used in a wide range of vehicular loaded applications. From your humble driveway to the busiest ports and industrial facilities of the world, segmental pavers have continuously proven their superiority throughout history

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Think Brick's civil engineer Keanu Andrews will cover the top considerations you need to think about before constructing your residential driveway, including:

• What is a segmental paver;
• The components of a segmental pavement;
• The differences between flexible and rigid pavement systems;
• The importance of subgrade material in design; and
• The types of edge restraints appropriate for driveways

Thinking Brick? Have any topics you want us to discuss? Let us know! We want to connect with you, just like mortar connects with bricks.

Mentioned in the episode:

Technical Resources

Clay Paving Manual

Brick Floors

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Camilla Block is a director of Durbach Block Jaggers, a well-known, multi-award-winning practice committed to searching for the possibilities of architecture itself – its power and poetry; its pleasure and necessity. Camilla Block graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) in 1991 and joined Neil Durbach in practice in 1992. In 1998, the office of Durbach Block Architects was established. Camilla has been a design principal in all of the major projects of Durbach Block.

Camilla Block has taught, lectured, exhibited, judged awards and been published both nationally and internationally. In 2014, Camilla received an Honorary Appointment as Adjunct Professor from UTS: University of Technology, Faculty Design Architecture and Building.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre will take you on a journey of Camilla Block's life experiences revealing some intriguing details of her personal and professional development, starting from her early-stage career endeavours to becoming one of the most prominent and established architects in Australia.

Mentioned in this episode:

Phoenix Central Park

Droga Apartments (Foster St.)

House Holman

Tamarama House

The Garden House

Think Brick Awards

Think Brick Showcase

Miss Happiness and Miss Flower

Middlemarch

Durbach Block Jaggers Website & Instagram

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The stackbond laying pattern is a distinct use of masonry that emphasises the verticality of the masonry wall. This modest design choice has become increasingly popular as an architectural effect in veneer construction.

Although stackbonded masonry gives the illusion of simplicity, there are several technical requirements that must be addressed during design and construction.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre will have an interesting conversation with Think Brick's senior structural engineer, Michael Koungras. They will discuss the requirements, benefits and important things to consider when designing a stack bonded wall.

Thinking brick? Have any questions or suggestions? Let us know! We want to connect with you, just like mortar connects with bricks. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Technical Resources

Awards Showcase

Think Brick TechTV

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Andrew Benn is the Director of Benn & Penna Architecture, a multi-award winning architecture studio that specialises in residential alterations, new houses and small commercial projects.

From an early age, Andrew had an appreciation for both urban and natural environments, spending his childhood between Sydney’s Balmain, a working farm in the Hunter Valley, and his family’s holiday house in Pittwater. These experiences helped instil a love of natural beauty, the Australian countryside and coastline, combined with a fascination of dense urban environments and a particular interest in the simplicity and beauty of Australia’s early colonial architecture.

Benn & Penna Architecture elemental and uncluttered approach to design forges spaces with a refined sense of ease and clarity that sets their work apart. The studio has a passion for design, art and the environment, inspiring buildings that have a natural elegance and authenticity.

Benn & Penna's sophisticated project, Henley Clays, was the winner of prestigious and highly-competitive Horbury Hunt Residential Award of 2020 Think Brick Awards.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre will speak with Andrew Benn to reveal some compelling details of his professional and personal life. This includes Andrew's thoughts on sustainability in architecture, his career development and architectural philosophy.

Listen to this episode to hear more about:

• What influenced Andrew to pick architecture as a profession
• His overseas travel as a scholarship student to Amsterdam at the Berlage Institute in Rotterdam
• His overseas experience of working at the internationally acclaimed UN Studio
• His motives for returning to Sydney
• What are the characteristics of Dutch architecture
• The expectations of architecture in the eyes of the public
• The exploration of his first completed project, Balmain Pair
• The challenges, experiences, and inspirations of starting his own architecture firm in 2012, Benn + Penna Architecture
• The challenges and thought process behind his award-winning project, Henley Clays
• The various benefits and qualities of using brick as a building material
• How Dutch architecture inspired by “The Amsterdam School” has influenced his architectural vision
• His outlook on a future architectural approach

Mentioned in this episode:

Glebe Red

Henley Clays

Amsterdam School

Think Brick Awards

Awards Showcase

Benn + Penna Architecture Website & Instagram

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The Australian construction industry references a variety of important technical documents. The most prominent industry documents used in Australia are the National Construction Code and the Australian Standards. All buildings in Australia must comply with the requirements outlined within the National Construction Code and the referenced documents therein.

In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Think Brick’s senior structural engineer, Michael Koungras will introduce you to these important technical documents for all building construction in Australia.

Thinking Brick? Have any topics you want us to discuss? Let us know! We want to connect with you, just like mortar connects with bricks.

Mentioned in this episode:

Technical Resources

Industry Reference Guide

Australian Building Codes Board

National Construction Code

Australian Standards

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Amy Muir has over 15 years of experience in high end residential, commercial and public architecture. Holding degrees in both Interior Design and Architecture from RMIT University has ensured that the practice places equal value on the holistic crafting of interior and external form as one.

Amy is a Director of MUIR Architecture that takes pride in being inclusive, acknowledging that strong and successful projects are the result of a collaborative relationship between the client, community and the design team. MUIR has been recognised through state and national awards and the work has been widely published locally and internationally. Amy is also a lecturer at RMIT University and is committed to establishing strong links between her teaching and research, architecture practice and public advocacy through her role as the Immediate Past Victorian President of the Australian Institute of Architects.

MUIR Architecture in collaboration with OPENWORK won the 2019 Bruce Mackenzie Landscape Award, a prestigious category of the Think Brick Awards that acknowledges innovation and sophisticated approach with the use of clay and concrete masonry for landscape and urban design. Shortly after, Amy joined a jury panel for the 2020 Think Brick Awards, bringing her profound knowledge and expertise in the field.

Listen to this episode to explore more about the following:

• Her experience with using brick and why it is highly regarded as a building material.
• Why clay brick was chosen for the winning project, Doubleground?
• How to integrate temporary architecture and make it as embedded within the existing environment as possible?
• The experience of designing a project in a public space.
• The challenges and opportunities Amy faced during the installation and operation of Doubleground.
• Amy's architectural vision and interests.
• The responsibilities of an architect.
• The role of civic architecture in establishing Amy's love for architecture.
• Why she picked architecture as a profession and how her childhood shaped its fruition.
• How multiple roles has shaped her perspective as an architect?
• Why Doubleground was awarded the Bruce Mackenzie Landscape Award in 2019.
• Why you should be entering the Think Brick Awards?
• Amy's experience as a Think Brick Awards juror

Thinking Brick? Have any topics you want discussed? Let Us Know! We want to connect with you, just like mortar connects with bricks.

Mentioned in this episode:

Think Brick Awards

Think Brick Technical Resources

Doubleground by MUIR Architecture & OPENWORK

MUIR Architecture Website & Instagram

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This episode will go through relevant standards such as AS 3700: Masonry Structures to determine brick design for compression. This episode will also go through design considerations and a worked example for an unreinforced clay masonry wall.

In this trailer-episode, I am covering the basic standards of Koncrete walls and what things you need to take into consideration to build a wall by yourself. We will go through some building Australian Standards, basic wall types, mortar ratio, and a little bonus at the end. So stay tuned! 

Remember, Got a koncrete dilemma - I've got a key for that!