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Whether your project requires concrete facing masonry or a modern style brick, Lignacite’s versatile range of standard blocks and Roman Bricks offers architects and designers a solution. With its contemporary facade, wide range of colours and textures the Roman Brick in particular, is fast becoming popular with architects striving to find a material that not only look, good, but is affordable, easy to handle and saves on build time.
P+HS Architects chose to specify the Roman Brick on one of their latest projects, Burleigh Medical Centre, a Primary Care Centre. P+HS said “Our client chose the ‘Split’ faced Snowstorm Roman brick, due to its unique composition containing light reflecting particles of recycled material. This contemporary module enhancedthe exterior of this prominent building a high-quality finish whilst presenting a heavily contrasted feel against the anthracite roof and wall cladding”.
P+HS went on to explain that this new build consists of a two storey primary care Medical Centre and integrated Pharmacy. Developed to serve an area of significant deprivation, the welcoming new building has brought increased patient capacity, extended opening hours and enhanced services as well as an outstanding environment for patients and staff. The building stands as a beacon of quality in the heart of the community it is designed to serve, its design rooted in local heritage.
Community was at the heart of the client’s aspiration from the outset: their vision was for a state-of-the-art building that was an attractive focal point within the neighbourhood, creating a space both inside and out that was contemporary and engaging for its service users.
The design concept pays homage to Barnsley’s historic mining community which is reflected abstractly in the choice of materials both inside and out. The heavily contrasting materials have contributed to the buildings striking appearance and its positive impact within the prominent site off the Alhambra roundabout on Sheffield Road which is a key gateway position within Barnsley.
The setting out of the acoustic art panels react to natural light entering the building and the carefully selected feature lighting. The artwork also connects the reception areas and the waiting areas by the use of subtle and simple wayfinding colours of yellow and blue which differentiate the ground and the first floor.
About the Lignacite Roman Brick
Lignacite’s Roman Brick is smaller than a block, larger than a brick and available in our full range of over 50 colours, textures and finishes, created to offer a contemporary and modern design feature for Architects and Designers.
The Roman Brick is either cut from our standard size block, or formed in a special block machine mould, we can therefore offer this format in all of our colours and texture combinations to create a large variety of different effects. Polished and Planished finishes allow crisp, clean lines, whilst splitting or shot blasting the product creates a softer more weathered appearance.
How is it made?
As with all Lignacite products, Roman Bricks are manufactured from a range of different aggregates and incorporate a high percentage of recycled materials such as shell block, re-cycled glass and mother of pearl.
Build Benefits
The units measure 440mm by 65mm, one third of the size of a traditional block, thereby allowing designers considerable flexibility and scope to create a unique look. The unit weighs less than 7kgs, a third of the weight of a traditional block, meaning no HSE issues during the build whilst using this product.Being twice the length of a conventional brick, they can be laid more quickly, the Roman Brick also doesn’t ‘swim’ making it easier to lay and thus show a saving.
Versatility
Whilst creating a contemporary look, the use of Roman Brick can also facilitate new buildings to blend into more traditional settings.
Custom-Made
Our aim is to work alongside designers to create unique products that compliment individual projects. This can include using the recycled aggregate from an existing building on a site, through to incorporating almost anything from natural sea shells to luminescent powder coated glass.
For further information on the Roman Brick, Lignacite standard blocks, samples and Swatch Guides showing all our block finishes please visit our website. Design Guidance and Sitework Guides can be downloaded from the Technical Library on our website. To book our CPD please book online at lignacite.co.uk or call 01482 810678.
Credits & Links:
Photos by kind permission – Guy Carpenter of Gullwing Photography.
Architect – P+HS