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Designing Communities: Brick's Contribution
Examining the contribution brick makes to meeting a triple bottom line agenda, the Footprints campaign is all about designing more liveable, sustainable and responsible communities and how brick can make this possible.
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Footprints
Footprints: Environmental
Taking steps to tread lightly on the earth
Every individual, every community, every nation has an obligation to minimise harm to the environment. Greater energy efficiency, enhanced longevity, recyclability and improved manufacturing practices are just some of the ways clay brick is making a contribution.
Bricks are made of clay, a material of natural origin which is inert and VOC-free so they contribute to healthier living environments. Bricks are recyclable, as are brick buildings which actually get better looking with age and can last generations. This makes brick a responsible choice when considering its longevity in what is all-too frequently a “throw-away” society.
The brick industry is leading the way with research into the thermal performance of Australian housing. The findings of this groundbreaking research are assisting government regulators, industry and architects to build more energy efficient homes by measuring the performance of walling and roofing systems and insulation. In 2009 Think Brick Australia will complete a Climate Design Guide for 22 Australian climate zones. Our research is freely available and can help you to take the steps required to minimise our ecological footprint.
House designs by Environa Studios
Footprints: Social
The materials we use reveal much about the way we live
Brick has always made a significant contribution to the urban aesthetic. But consider the qualities of brick and how they contribute to making homes not just houses. The honesty of brick has made it a favourite with architects but most Australians love brick for its contribution to creating quiet, durable, safe and secure homes.
The first Australian bricks were crafted by first fleet convict brick makers and today the brick industry employs 30,000 Australians. Many parks and public spaces are former brickworks delivered back to the community once decommissioned.
Brick is intrinsically linked to the Australian suburban condition. From Art Deco apartments to post-war bungalows, many would argue Australia was built in brick. And today, architects are enjoying the challenge of re-thinking brick to create beautiful contemporary homes that are distinctive yet sympathetic to their context and site.
What will you allow materials to reveal for you? For your community? For the future?
Footprints: Economic
Affordability, longevity and common cents
As land becomes more scarce and building costs rise, the great Australian dream of home ownership is increasingly just that – a dream - for many Australians. Building materials have a role to play in creating affordable homes and brick contributes by being an affordable, quality material that has the advantage of requiring virtually no maintenance. Face bricks are self-finishing so they require no painting or rendering, saving additional expense in labour and equipment.
Brick homes can be more energy efficient saving the owner (and the planet) on the rising cost of mechanical heating and cooling.
The brick industry is worth $2.8bn to the Australian economy each year and invests in training, education and programmes to address the trade skills shortage.
Related Information
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Climate Control
Based on decades of climate data, our interactive wizard helps you plan the most climate friendly building for your location.
