Masonry Magazine April 2008 Page. 36
BRICK
Hanson Brick's Glenhaven is one of a dozen new earth tone bricks introduced into the Texas market at the start of 2008.
exceeds $70 billion at a 100-year return period. However, time and time again, brick masonry has proven itself to be a worthy adversary to these natural foes.
The BIA funded research at the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University, demonstrating that clay brick cladding provides increased defense against wind-blown debris when compared to other siding materials. In the tests, engineers fired a 7.5-foot-long, 9-pound 2X4 at a brick veneer wall at 34 mph. It bounced off the brick, causing no damage to the interior wall. A 2X4 fired at the same speed penetrated a vinyl or fiber-cement sided wall by more than five feet, piercing the interior wall. The test was representative of weather that would generate wind speeds between 100 and 140 mph.
Architects explore brick design
WHILE LIFECYCLE ASSESSMENT, durability, safety and environmental impact should be clear-cut arguments to use brick, architects have the added requirement for creative and attractive materials. Brick easily meets these standards.
With its varying degrees of colors, textures, shapes and sizes, brick allows city planners to create an underlying theme of long-lasting, valuable and quality masonry construction for an area, while creating distinguished character from one building to another.
"Among the trends and innovations in clay brick is the idea that 'old is new," says Kathleen Jonila, director of marketing for Hanson Brick and Tile. "Many builders and homeowners are seeking to create old, historic or weathered looks in new buildings, particularly in areas with infill building or growth in already developed cities."
Also, a growing trend toward town centers as the focal point of densely constructed urban residential areas shows strong favoritism toward the use of brick commercial construction. And, in newer areas, brick construction often begets brick construction when it comes to newer neighborhoods, when large retail areas built with the newest brick design set the trend for smaller commercial and residential construction, or vice versa.
Across the nation, a growing understanding among designers concerning the various design capabilities that brick architecture brings to the table is evolving. As they are seeing their peers play with brick positioning, bond patterns, different mortar joints and colors, façade textures, accent pieces, bands, arches, corbelling, recesses and projections, designers are beginning to aspire to the same creative expression with this quality construction medium.
"We try to educate architects and designers," Davis says. "Unfortunately, they don't always get that type of training at the university level as much as we would like. When they get out into the field with their architectural firm, they usually become aware of brick's capabilities and what's available to them.
Kelly adds, "We need to promote brick masonry. I think a lot of people take masonry too much for granted, and don't promote the positive attributes enough." IMAS
Jennie Farnsworth is an Atlanta-based writer and editor.