Energy-Efficient Home Built in Brick and Flint

Bridge House is a traditional styled three-storey five-bedroom self build house built in brick and flint, with a complementary free-standing ‘L’ shaped quadruple garage.

The owners’ dream was to create a high-specification, low-energy, practical family home, which combined uniqueness and individuality with traditional features, sympathetic materials and respect for the local Norfolk architecture and environment.

Brickwork and detailing

Integral to the design were the Stratford Mellow 65mm handmade bricks from Northcot Brick, which brought warmth and individuality to the whole structure and were quite similar to traditional ‘Norfolk Reds’ of that area.

Approximately 65,000 bricks and specials were used for the house, garage and gardens. Meticulous care was taken with the brick detailing throughout, with many of the bricks cut on site and laid in a traditional Flemish bond using lime and white cement mortar.

Adding to the ornamental effect, a wide variety of special bricks, including plinths, bullnoses, cants and parapets were created from bespoke moulds. Decorative treatment at the eaves included several courses of corbelling with intricate dentil work.

This house won Best Masonry Home at the Build It Awards 2015.

Why Northcot?

After having looked at many brick manufacturers’ ranges, owners David and Geoff Wainwright spotted Northcot’s Stratford Mellow bricks on a large project in Norwich and were instantly attracted to what they termed the ‘living glow’ of this light red textured blend.

David said: “Just looking at the brickwork of our home gives us pleasure on a daily basis and an increasing number of people are asking us whether Bridge House is a new-build, or a restoration and that’s exactly what we wanted to achieve.”

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