Our Blog
Explore. Learn. Design.
Choosing Glazed Brick Colours for your Architectural Projects
Choosing the right glazed brick colours can transform how a building responds to light, context and architectural form. Our guide explores single-colour facades, blended palettes, heritage considerations and bespoke glazed finishes, with practical advice for architects and specifiers.
What Are Glazed Bricks? A Design Guide for Architects and Specifiers
What is a glazed brick? Learn how glazed bricks are manufactured, the different glazing techniques available and why they are specified for contemporary architecture. See the design possibilities, performance benefits and bespoke finishes available.
Designing Contemporary Architecture With Bespoke Glazed Products
Bespoke glazed products offer architects new ways to introduce colour, texture and visual interest into contemporary architecture. From metallic finishes and reactive glazes to recycled glass and layered effects, they can help create distinctive facades and interiors with lasting performance.
5 Bond Patterns That Bring Out the Best in Long Format Bricks
This guide outlines 5 bond patterns that work particularly well with long format bricks, along with practical advice on mortar joints, setting out and detailing. It shows how thoughtful specification can help architects create facades with stronger proportions, cleaner lines and a more distinctive overall finish.
9 Design Ideas For Long Format Bricks
9 design ideas for long format bricks, see how thoughtful detailing can create more distinctive, contemporary and visually impactful facades. From controlled random layouts to recessed brickwork and vertical detailing, long format bricks offer architects new ways to add depth, rhythm and identity to their projects.
Long Format Brick Slips for Interiors
Long format brick slips for interiors offer architects and designers a practical way to introduce texture, rhythm and a more contemporary brick finish within a wide range of commercial spaces. From bars and restaurants to studios and reception areas, they can create feature surfaces with depth, character and strong architectural appeal.
Architectural Glazed Ceramics: Artist Interview with Maria Gasparian
In this interview, ceramic artist Maria Gasparian discusses her journey working with architectural glazed ceramics and how her work brings together art, craft and architectural design. Drawing inspiration from historic ceramic facades, global travel and material experimentation, Maria explains how clay, glaze and colour can transform buildings through bespoke ceramic elements.
Exploring Design Possibilities with Sawtooth Bricks and Slips
Designing with sawtooth bricks and brick slips allows architects to create dynamic, textured facades that respond to light throughout the day, with shadow lines shifting to bring movement and variation to the building’s surface. By introducing angled profiles and repeating patterns, these specialist brick formats create a sense of rhythm and articulation that enhances both large elevations and detailed feature areas.
Using Hand Crafted Bespoke Brick Slips to Shape a Street-Level Facade
Bespoke brick slips can be used to shape a distinctive street-level architectural identity, introducing craftsmanship, texture and detail to a building facade. Through careful design and close collaboration, bespoke brickwork becomes an expressive feature that enhances the pedestrian experience and strengthens your building’s character. Handmade bespoke brick slips can be developed and specified to create an engaging, visually rich facade design. The case study highlights the creative potential of bespoke brickwork while creating something that is truly unique.
Brickwork Bond Patterns and How to Use Them in Your Designs
Brickwork bond patterns are a powerful way to influence rhythm, proportion and material expression across a facade. Our brick experts explore how different bond patterns can help you shape character, define hierarchy and introduce texture within contemporary architectural design. Outlining the most commonly used patterns, the brick formats suited to each, and the practical considerations for your architectural project.
Choosing Brick Colours for Your Architectural Design
The colour of brickwork is one of the most powerful design tools available to architects. From blending seamlessly into historic streetscapes to creating bold contrasts in contemporary facades, the right brick colour influences not only appearance but also how a building is experienced. Factors such as light, mortar tones, and context shape your final design.
What is a Brick Slip? A Guide for Architects and Specifiers
What is a brick slip? These thin, lightweight bricks replicate the look and texture of traditional brickwork with modern advantages. They allow architects to achieve striking designs, improve installation speed, and offer a wide range of colours, formats, and finishes, including bold glazed options for standout facades.
Exploring the Design Potential of Long Format Bricks
Long format bricks are changing the way architects think about scale, texture, and rhythm in building design. Also known as linear bricks, these elongated bricks offer bold aesthetics and refined finishes that bring your facade design to life. Here we explore how they’re made, how to use them, and why they’re increasingly specified throughout modern architecture.
7 Ways Rairies Montrieux and Creative Brick Solutions can help UK architects specify projects abroad
Are you a UK architect navigating the complexities of international projects? Our partnership with Rairies Montrieux gives you access to high-quality European bricks, local insights, and hands-on support to make specifying projects abroad straightforward and stress-free. When UK architects specify projects abroad, challenges can multiply. Working with us you gain a trusted project partner who handles international logistics, compliance, and material selection, so you can stay focused on your creative vision.
Why are architects choosing Green Glazed Bricks?
Green glazed bricks make a bold statement in modern architecture, offering a perfect blend of aesthetics, sustainability, and durability. Our brick experts outline why architects are turning to this timeless material for projects that demand both visual impact and long-term performance. This dynamic brick style is shaping the future of UK architecture while paying homage to tradition.
5 projects from around the world using textured brick design
Textured brick design is transforming architecture worldwide. From Liverpool to Sydney, these five standout projects showcase how innovative brickwork techniques can add depth, character, and a striking visual effect to buildings.
Creating hit and miss brickwork with Rairies Montrieux Moucharabieh bricks
Hit and miss brickwork is gaining popularity for its ability to balance aesthetics with functionality. This bricklaying technique allows for natural light, ventilation, and privacy while creating visually dynamic facades. If you are looking to add texture, light, and airflow to your architectural projects, then hit and miss brickwork offers a creative solution with many design possibilities. Explore the benefits, best practices, and innovative materials here.
Creating textured facades using brick specials
Brick specials are revolutionising modern facade design, offering architects the tools to create texture, depth, and visual intrigue. From geometric patterns using sawtooth or triangular bricks to organic textures inspired by wave and convex shapes, these versatile materials blend functionality with expression in design. Here our team explores their practical and aesthetic potential in modern architecture.
How to combine brick bonds and projections to create textured brick facades
Textured brick facades are a great way to add character and visual interest to a building. By choosing bond patterns like Flemish, Stretcher, or Herringbone, architects can create a range of effects, from uniform and structured to dynamic and eye-catching. Here we explore how projecting or recessing bricks within these patterns can transform a facade entirely – adding depth, playing with light and shadow, and creating unique features like geometric designs or wave patterns. These techniques offer endless possibilities to craft facades that stand out while maintaining structural integrity.
Brickwork design possibilities with Rairies Montrieux bricks
You can unleash the potential of brickwork design with Rairies Montrieux bricks, these versatile materials will redefine architecture on your project. From intricate Moucharabieh patterns that play with light and shadow to the bold textures of Brut De Four bricks. Explore how Rairies Montrieux products bring standout facades and stunning features to life, offering endless creative possibilities for every project.
