Think Brick

William Smart founded Smart Design Studio in 1997, which quickly gained a reputation as a multi-disciplinary design studio of excellence. His approach to design is holistic, combining both architectural and interior design with a passionate attention to detail which has come to the fore in a series of product designs.    In this episode your host, Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, William Smar...

A fireplace is an open area built into the structure of a home where a  fire can be safely contained to generate heat and to provide a relaxing atmosphere. Designing fireplaces in brick is beneficial due to both the nature of brick and the aesthetics it can give to your home.  In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and civil engineer James Luo, will be taking you through the benefits of cho...

Sheila established O'Donnell+Tuomey with John Toumey in 1988. She graduated from University College Dublin in 1976, when she moved to London. In 1980 she was awarded an MA in Environmental Design from the Royal College of Art London. She worked for James Stirling, Colquhoun + Miller and Spence and Webster before returning to Dublin.   In this episode, your host, Elizabeth McIntyre and special gues...

Textured walls or corbeled walls, are a unique type of brick wall. Instead of the masonry units being flush throughout the construction, bricks in a textured wall is laid in a manner that makes them appear as if it is protruding and overhanging from the wall.   In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and structural engineer Michael Koungras, will be talking about textured brick walls, and mo...

John established O'Donnell+Tuomey with Sheila O'Donnell in 1988. The son of a civil engineer, he grew up on building sites, learning to draw on the back of his father's blueprints. In this episode, your host, Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, John Tuomey, have an engaging conversation which covers topics such as;  The influence of having an engineer as a father;  Moving for his fathers' job an...

Australia has a very dry climate and with that comes an increased risk of bushfires and subsequently an increased frequency. Although bushfires are associated with spring and summer weather, it should be noted that bushfires are a year round occurrence.   In this episode your host, Elizabeth McIntyre and civil engineer, James Luo, will be discussing the considerations and requirements when buildin...

One of our strategic goals at Think Brick Australia is to develop talent. We do this through our engineering intern program, which has become very popular with young graduate engineers over the years. We wanted to give our listeners an insight into how our own interns describe their experience during their time at Think Brick. We are also recruiting for our next intern. If this sounds like somethi...

One of our strategic goals at Think Brick Australia is to develop talent. We do this through our engineering intern program, which has become very popular with young graduate engineers over the years. We wanted to give our listeners an insight into how our own interns describe their experience during their time at Think Brick. We are also recruiting for our next intern. If this sounds like somethi...

One of our strategic goals at Think Brick Australia is to develop talent. We do this through our engineering intern program, which has become very popular with young graduate engineers over the years. We wanted to give our listeners an insight into how our own interns describe their experience during their time at Think Brick. We are also recruiting for our next intern. If this sounds like somethi...

One of our strategic goals at Think Brick Australia is to develop talent. We do this through our engineering intern program, which has become very popular with graduate engineers over the years. We wanted to give our listeners an insight into how our own interns describe their experience during their time at Think Brick.   We are also recruiting for our next intern. If this sounds like something y...

One of our strategic goals at Think Brick Australia is to develop talent. We do this through our engineering intern program, which has become very popular with graduate engineers over the years. We wanted to give our listeners an insight into how our own interns describe their experience during their time at Think Brick. We are also recruiting for our next intern. If this sounds like something you...

Jeremy Edmiston is the founding principal of System Architects a research and design practice that seeks to re-evaluate the relationship between inside and outside environments. Originally from Sydney, Australia, he moved to the U.S. when he won Fulbright, Harkness and Byera Hadley scholarships.   In this episode, your host, Elizabeth McIntyre and special guest, Jeremy Edmiston, have an intriguing...

Brick arches are an aesthetically pleasing way to bridge openings in a masonry wall, softening the angularity of traditional brickwork with progressive curves. In this podcast your host, Elizabeth McIntyre and civil engineer, James Luo, will be discussing the considerations and requirements when building a brick arch.   The podcast incorporates the following topics: Defining a brick arch Keystone...

Andrew Hagemann founded the multi-award winning architecture practice Fringe Architects, now AHArchitecture which is an inventive, client collaborative Architecture Studio led by Andrew. AHA operates in the most remote and isolated capital city in the world, which in recent times has seen Western Australia stand out as a desirable destination to live and work.   In this episode, your host, Elizabe...

Mortar consistency can vary with many factors. To achieve a harmonious looking wall with adequate structural integrity, we need to ensure our mortar is consistent between batches. In this podcast your host, Elizabeth McIntyre and structural engineer, Michael Koungras, will be discussing the leading techniques used to create consistent mortar throughout the duration of a project.   The podcast inco...

Jimmy has wide ranging experience from social housing to high end residential and hotel accommodation, as well as in hospitality, student housing and aged care projects. He is responsible for all concept, built form, live-ability and sustainability outcomes at MJA. Jimmy works tightly with his team to ensure that commercial nous can be balanced with design solutions which respond to local context,...

Textured walls or corbelled walls, are a unique type of brick wall. Instead of the masonry units being flush throughout the construction, bricks in a textured wall is laid in a manner that makes them appear as if it is protruding and overhanging from the wall. As textures brick walls can facilitate many different patterns and configurations, this technique can provide a bespoke look to a brick wal...

Clare Cousins established her Melbourne practice, Clare Cousins Architects, in 2005. Engaged in projects large and small, the studio has a particular interest in housing and projects that nurture community.  Clare has extensive experience in the design and delivery of residential projects ranging from adaptive reuse, bespoke houses and community minded multi-residential projects. She has an intere...

When designing a house that is energy efficient, we should always strive to implement the best design practices to reduce our reliance on artificial heating and cooling. This goal can be easily accomplished using masonry products. In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Structural engineer Michael Koungras, will be exploring the benefits of energy efficiency and how these can be applicab...

Koichi Takada belongs to a new generation of architects that strive to bring nature back into the urban environment — an approach he matured after living in cities: Tokyo, New York and London. Koichi established his practice in 2008. He has brought a Japanese sensibility to Australian Architecture, each project embodying his commitment to organic form and consideration for human experience. In thi...

Repointing and Tuckpointing are refurbishment processes that provide an aesthetic 'facelift' for old masonry walls, making the brickwork look almost brand new. In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Think Brick's civil engineer, Matthew Ching, will explain the repointing and tuckpointing process and the associated benefits.   The podcast incorporates the following topics: The durability...

Mel has led the Studio Bright team since starting the practice in 2006. A Melbourne based practice that has gathered a collection of diverse and highly acclaimed built work. Through Studio Bright, Mel has amassed a portfolio of significant and award-winning projects, that have been widely published and recognised at state and national levels. In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and speci...

Mortar is a key component of masonry and it combines the masonry units together, whether that be clay or concrete masonry. Mortar makes up 15% of masonry, which makes it quite a sizeable proportion of the colour people see when viewing masonry structures. In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Think Brick's civil engineer, Matthew Ching, will explain why mortar matters. The podcast inco...

Geoff Warn is a highly respected practitioner and founder of With_Architecture Studio, an multi award winning design practice, bringing particular experience in urban design, master planning, arts projects, educational projects, civic architecture and technical buildings. Throughout his career of over 40 years, Geoff has been an enthusiastic leader, promoter and spokesperson for the value of desig...

Mortar is integral to masonry structures, and it is what makes masonry, masonry. It can be defined as a workable paste which hardens to bind building materials such as bricks. It ensures your masonry structure is both stable and aesthetically pleasing.  In this episode, your host Elizabeth McIntyre and Think Brick's Structural Engineer, Michael Koungras will explain why mortar matters.  The podcas...