Pratt AIAS Newsletter 2: Brick

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WHAT’S HAPPENING? WHEN, WHERE, WHY

April 4th-5th: FACADES

+ SYMPOSIUM

Metropolitan Pavilion & NYLS

This two day event offers people the opportunity to learn about advances in materials for buildings, how New York is being sustainably forward, how the Domino Sugar transformed the Williamsburg skyline, and many more! You will also have the opportunity to network with people from multidisciplinary backgrounds with experience from many different fields. On the second day, workshops are held in the New York Law School where you can work along leading professionals intimately and delve deeper into four categories, including sustainability, detailing, materiality and technology.

Ongoing: Haverstraw Brick Museum

Permanent Exhibition

12 Main Street, Haverstraw, NY 10927

This exhibition showcasing the rich history of brick in the industry. Including works by James Tyler and “The Story of Brick Manufacturing: Automatic to Robotic”, the museumoffers insight in the evolution of the use of brick over the years.

March 9th - August 11th:

EVERLASTING PLASTICS

Carnegie Museum of Art, The Heinz Architectural Center, 4400 Forbes Avenue, 15213 Pittsburgh, PA

After presenting as the US pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2023, this exhibitions sets to explore our relationship with plasticity - in both a metaphorical and material sense. Including site-specific commissions by renowned US artists, “Everlasting Plastics” investigates how materials form contemporary ecologies, economies and the built environment.

ISSUE 2 :: BRICK

WHAT’S NEW?

WHY DO WE CARE?

TWISTED BRICK SHELL LIBRARY |

Zhejiang Province, China

WHO: HCCH Studio

WHAT: Concept Library Pavillion

WHEN: June 2022 - Nov. 2023

The ‘Concept Library’ presented an interesting challenge during construction due to its unconventional double-curved shell. Bricks were slotted into a perforated steel framework, and the mortar in between was cast onsite. This technique of using a framework to lay bricks expands the possibilities of geometrically technical architectural designs beyond what traditional methods can achieve.

HI-FI | Queens, New York

WHO: The Living

CERAMIC HOUSE |

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

WHO: Studio RAP

WHAT: Ceramic Brick Facade for a Boutique WHEN: 2023

The facade of ‘Ceramic House’ is inspired by textiles, creating an organic, wave-like facade made out of bricks. By utilizing large-scale, in-house 3D printing technology, Studio RAP can manufacture each ceramic brick to be custom-designed. This digital fabrication process pushes the boundaries of design, collaborating with robots to create very intricate ceramic designs. This is super exciting— as architecture students have access to the 3D ceramic printer in Higgins!

WHAT: 100% Organic Pavilion for MOMA PS1 WHEN: 2014

Unlike manufactured clay bricks, ‘Hi-Fi’ is made of living bricks that are grown using a combination of agricultural byproducts and mushroom mycelium–the branch-like roots of fungi. It’s made out of 10,000 living bricks! The benefits of this material are that it’s entirely organic, contributes no waste, and produces no carbon emissions. While it may not have the compressive strength for full-scale buildings, the use of mycelium offers a lot of potential for architectural applications, providing a sustainable alternative to other conventional materials.

BRICK IN ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION: 2022

WHAT: Since 1989, the Brick Industry Association has sponsored one of the country’s most prestigious architectural award competitions, the Brick in Architecture Awards, showcasing innovative and sustainable brick-based designs. WINNER: Art Center of Aranya, Jinshanling, China by Atelier Archmixing WHATS COOL: Perched high on a ridge near the Great Wall of China, the Center showcases the versatility and beauty of brickwork. They chose red veneer brick, which not only blends harmoniously with the surrounding North Chinese mountains but also symbolizes traditional Chinese aesthetic. It features varied brick surfaces, from classic red brick to ornate tile patterns, illustrating the diverse uses of brick.

ÁKARAN ARCHITECTS | Firm

Ákaran Architects, founded in 2010, epitomizes boundless creativity, inspired by the Persian term “bikaran.” Specializing in functional, culturally reflective spaces, they are driven by collaborative, artistic problem-solving. Notable among their projects is “Bricks on The Move,” which seamlessly intertwines tradition and modernity through its creative use of oxidized panels, handmade bricks, and glazing, embodying the essence of past, present, and future. This project’s eco-friendly focus reflects the broader mission of Ákaran Architects to revitalize derelict kiln sites.

In “Bricks on The Move,” bricks are more than mere building materials; they are mobile, serving as a functional and aesthetic element that adapts to the changing environment and user needs, echoing the fluidity of the surrounding landscape. Similarly, the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, boasting Persian craftsmanship, showcases the enduring tradition of using bricks in its magnificent domes. These domes, with their intricate geometric patterns, not only serve as a structural marvel but also stand as a tribute to the rich heritage and ingenuity of Persian architecture.

Bricks, in both “Bricks on The Move” and the Grand Bazaar, are not only structural components; they embody the craftsmanship, culture, and identity of their respective projects, reflecting the timeless nature of this material in the architectural landscape.

New Tech | WasteBasedBricks

‘ WasteBasedBricks’ is a pioneering construction technology developed by the Dutch company StoneCycling.

These bricks, composed of 60-80% industrial and demolition waste, promise a sustainable and visually distinct alternative to traditional bricks. They’re engineered to reduce energyintensive production, each brick possessing unique hues and textures due to the varied waste streams they’re crafted from.

This innovation, as seen in The West condo in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, not only aligns with eco-conscious architectural design but also aims to elevate the very essence of urban spaces.

In a world grappling with sustainability, WasteBasedBricks epitomize the symbiotic relationship between modern urban living and a greener future, reshaping skylines while minimizing environmental impact.