Woodmore Mews, London

The team at Alfiam Building Supplies worked with manufacturer, Forterra to specially craft the brick back in 2014, when Forterra’s new Eco factory was just starting. The Ecostock brick boasts lower energy use during manufacture, as well as lower waste production and water consumption. The Belgravia Gault blend took inspiration from the Victorian Gault Buff bricks of West London for a project which ultimately did not get completed. However, the blend was deemed successful and was added to the project range before being selected as the perfect choice for Woodmore Mews.

The clever use of the brick across the site creates subtle variation and architectural interest which the judges of the BDA awards noted was ‘sculptural, whimsical, bold and well-articulated’. Some of the homes feature a semi-private, entrance archway, which allows for the residents to store items such as wellies, umbrellas and plants, further adding the opportunity for individuality at each home to come through.

The wavey roofs uniquely define this project with soldier courses running along the roof line. The homes are open plan inside creating airy and light spaces, where there is also access to a sun trap roof terrace. Angled windows further add visual interest, with soldier and header courses also contributing to the ‘whimsical’ feel of the site. The windows alternate in shape, size and position throughout the mews for a relaxed and rustic architectural approach. Projecting bricks surround pop-up windows and snapped headers were used to create tightly curved external walls.

The project was an extremely effective use of the Ecostock Belgravia Gault Blend, which produced a site of affordable homes that far from lack in character and visual interest.