Importance of Bricks in Residential Structure
Do you know how brick can be used as a core element in modern residential homes ?
Bricks are one of the oldest building materials that humans got adapted into for both Residential homes & Commercial structures. India goes back as early as 3000 BC in Early Indus Valley Cities such as Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and Mehrgarh. Production of bricks increased massively after an independent style of brick architecture, known as brick Gothic flourished into places where there was no supply of stone. The components of a brick have varied over the period of time, taking into consideration the climatic conditions, availability of materials and etc.
The Natural color and texture of a brick adds up to the ambiance without any effort. They can be used to create an earthy look to the surroundings. Clay bricks are naturally energy efficient. They have exceptional thermal properties like the ability to store heat and then slowly release it. They adapt well with winter and Summer Clay bricks are also one of the most sustainable green building materials. They are also recyclable, hence not adding up to the Carbon footprint.
Since, Brick having some versatile character they are highly economical & they add texture to a place, low maintenance cost, reusable and recyclable & very good compressive strength.
It is also known for its high compressive strength and load bearing capabilities. They can be used along with cement and reinforcement bars to build foundations, walls, load bearing columns and beams. It can greatly double as an aesthetic and a structural element which is also highly economical. They can be majorly classified into two. Burnt and Sun-dried bricks. Sun-dried is usually used for temporary and non-expensive structures whereas Burnt bricks can be used in numerous ways.
Assembling of brick during a design execute plays a huge role. In residential homes they can be aesthetically arranged as jaalis, arches, vaults and many more.
After various permutations and combinations of laying of bricks, they can lead to an interesting visual effect on the user. Also used to create jaali’s . These can be used as facade partitions, internal partitions, and even activity patterns. The standard brick can be assembled Diagonally, vertically and laterally.
In many circumstances, the brick is also used to highlight the elevation of a building by using it as a facade element. For example, Indian Coffee House by Laurie Baker. It has a circular structure with a few unassembled brick cavities that function as ventilation. This building stands out in the surroundings because of the vibrant color of the brick and the unusual form. Another very well-known building is Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad. Designed by Louis Khan, it is one of the best examples to consider brick as a versatile material. It has a highly attractive and unique facade created by Bricks.