Think Brick

More than 85% of Australians live within 50km of the coast. When building along the coast, there are many different factors that need to be considered. What do you know about coastal building? In this episode your host Elizabeth McIntyre, and Engineering Team Lead, Jack Gill, cover topics such as;  The definition of a surf coast and why it's relevant when building; The importance of durability; Th...

Cameron Bruhn is the Dean and Head of School – School of Architecture, The University of Queensland. He is a writer, editor, curator and advocate for architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, Cameron Bruhn have an interesting conversation which covers topics such as: His upbringing and how his family shaped his career...

Building a new house? Listen to find out about the benefits of House Rating Schemes and how it ensures energy efficiency is met for your home.  In this episode your host Elizabeth McIntyre, and Undergraduate Engineer, Callista Wong, cover topics such as;  ⭐ NatHERS House Rating Scheme ⭐ BASIX ⭐ Green Star Rating ⭐ The Scorecard ⭐ NABERS   This episode and many others can be found on all major...

Jon Clements is a founding director of Jackson Clements Burrows Architects (JCB). JCB was established in  Melbourne in 1998  and the practice currently employs approximately 40 architects and interior designers. Jon continues to maintain an active role outside practice representing architecture within the industry. Jon was the president of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Archi...

Do you love exploring brick architecture when travelling around the world? Do you ever wonder why some countries use bricks that are different in size to the standard back in Australia? In this episode your host Elizabeth McIntyre, and Civil Engineer, James Luo, cover topics such as;  Standard brick sizes around the world; The history of brick sizing;  Why countries around the world differ in bric...

Stuart Vokes lives, teaches and practices architecture in Brisbane. In 2015 Stuart co-founded the architectural practice Vokes and Peters with long-time collaborator Aaron Peters to focus on projects that respond to prevailing settings, cultural narratives, human occupation and the presence of nature. In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, Stuart Vokes have an intriguing...

Whether we're buying eggs, milk or any electronic product, there's an expectation that it meets a certain standard of quality. From that, we have certain testing regimes that all these products will go through. The same goes for our bricks! When you purchased brick there's an expectation that those bricks will be strong enough, durable enough, and actually be of the correct size to build a house i...

Simon Pendal runs the small research-based practice Simon Pendal Architect. The practice was founded in 2005, and works primarily on residential commissions, creating intimate work that is finely wrought and highly detailed.    In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, Simon Pendal will discuss how he got to where he is today. Listen to the full episode to discover more of t...

Brick floors are inviting, warm and comforting, and they can give your house a great atmosphere. They are are low maintenance solution for your internal floors.    In this episode your host Elizabeth McIntyre, and Structural Engineer, Michael Koungras, cover topics such as;  Some of the benefits of using brick floors;  The structural considerations when designing with them;  Some of the detailing...

Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers have been made in the original factory site in Littlehampton-SA since 1892. The production follows traditional processes, including firing the bricks at their unique batch kiln. The handcrafted production processes have been in the company for decades and are constantly improved to meet the demands of both architects and the wider market.   In this episode, your hos...

Changes can appear with bricks over time, and sometimes may alarm you. We are here to keep your mind at ease!   In this episode your host Elizabeth McIntyre, and Structural Engineer, Michael Koungras, cover topics such as;  The types of brick defects you may encounter;  The variations of defects that can occur in different environments;  Ways you are able to avoid these defects, and fix them once...

Renato D'Ettorre's architecture draws inspiration from past masters and civilizations, attempting to represent the present with a desire to leave enduring buildings for the future.    In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, Renato D'Ettorre will discuss his life path that led him to be the architect he is today.   Listen to the full episode to discover more of the followin...

Bricks come in nearly over 1000 different colours, often the colour of your brick, and the mortar colour you pick will help unify the overall appearance of your brick building. This episode covers why brick colours are important to consider, and how bricks get their particular colour in the manufacturing process.   In this episode your host Elizabeth McIntyre, and Anthony Zhang, the quality contro...

Rachael Elizabeth Beck is an Australian stage and television singer-actress. Rachael grew up in Sydney and was exposed to the theatre at a young age, watching the high school musicals that her father directed. Her talent for the music arts were made apparent when she performed "The Count" (from sesame street) in the Eisteddfods at 9 years old (and won!).    In this episode your host, Elizabeth McI...

David Jaggers is one of 3 directors of Durbach Block Jaggers Architects. The team aims for an architecture that is both confident and courteous.  In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, David Jaggers will delve into his wonderful journey that led him to be the accomplished architect he is today. Listen to the full episode to discover more of the following: Growing up in Sy...

As we know, bricks are low maintenance, but  some occasional sweeping or light pressure  cleaning or brushing are really good and simple ways to keep your brick wall looking just as good as it did the first day It was laid.  In this episode your host Elizabeth McIntyre, and Structural Engineer, Michael Koungras cover why brick maintenance is important and talk more about;  The way you will be able...

Noel Whittaker is an international bestselling author, finance and investment expert, radio broadcaster, newspaper columnist and public speaker. He is one of the world's foremost authorities on personal finance. Noel reaches over seven million readers each week through his columns in major Australian newspapers, including The Sydney Morning Herald, Melbourne's The Age, Perth's The Sunday Times, an...

Minor cracking of masonry is relatively common in domestic construction. Most of these cracks are

Anna O'Byrne is an award-winning actor and singer, with an international career spanning opera, theatre, concert, and film. Anna was hand-picked by Dame Julie Andrews to play Eliza Doolittle in the 60th anniversary production of MY FAIR LADY at the Sydney Opera House and subsequent Australian tour. For her performance, she received the 2017 Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Musical. In 201...

Taking a brief look back at our wonderful year full of technical talks and inspiring architectural conversations, we've put together a short recap of your favourite episodes!   Listen to this episode with your host Elizabeth McIntyre and special guests to find out more of the following:   Taking a look at the different acronyms involved when building a brick wall from: Standards Australia to the A...

Control joints are used in clay masonry to accommodate movements within the masonry or between the masonry and other parts of the building. Such movements can arise from various sources including foundation movements, expansion of the bricks, thermal movements and shrinkage.    Listen to this episode with your host Elizabeth McIntyre and structural engineer Michael Koungras, to find out more of th...

Suze DeMarchi is a talented Australian singer-songwriter, best known for fronting the band Baby Animals. She was born in Perth, Western Australia and began her singing career in the early 1980s when she was 17, playing in local band Photoplay. She is the lead singer for Baby Animals, and is widely acknowledged as one of Australia's biggest rock icons, the queen of Australian rock, and a true pione...

Diego Arraigada graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the National University of Rosario with a degree in Architecture (Silver Medal) and from the School of Architecture of the University of California Los Angeles with a Master of Architecture degree in 2003 (Graduated with Distinction). In 2006 he establishes his professional office in Rosario, Argentina.  In this episode your host, Eliza...

Brickwork can play an important role in creating a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing environment while at the same time providing practical low-maintenance solutions to a wide range of landscaping issues. Most garden and landscape structures will be subject to significant levels of environmental exposure and therefore the materials and workmanship should be of quality. Brick is an excellent bu...

Josh Piterman is an established young musical theatre performer and classical crossover artist who has been working consistently on Australian and UK stages over the past 15 years. His past credits include being a part of international pop opera group The Ten Tenors, Tony in the 2010 Australian production of Westside Story, Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger in the 2015/16 Australian season of Cats (a...