Glazed bricks from the Vibrant range by PGH Bricks & Pavers were used with recycled red brick to introduce light and shadow, pattern and colour on a residential building in Richmond, Melbourne.

Designed by Austin Maynard Architects, Brickface is a compact building situated at the rear of an existing house and reimagined into a home. Located in a corner position with a laneway on two sides, the structure consists of a garage at ground level, a studio/guest bedroom on the first floor, and a roof deck, which doubles as a productive garden space. The south-facing main living area in the existing house opens up onto the new terrace and pool, where the view is to the rising high wall of Brickface.

Constructed of recycled red brick, Brickface is interspersed with contrasting Rhapsody and Watermelon glazed bricks from the PGH Vibrant range within the Accents collection. The magnificent high gloss effect – a well known feature of the PGH Vibrant glazed brick range – contributes to the bespoke, stand-out feature of the external rear facade. The building’s round windows and the sculptural form of the parapet combine with the character of the recycled brick to soften the solid block.

The building terminates a row of garage doors and newer outbuildings, serving as a solid and secure bookend, and looking as if it existed well before the other buildings along the lane.

Photographer: Tess Kelly