Modern brick architecture goes hand in hand with history
When you think of modern architecture, brick may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but at Kapellgärdet in Uppsala, you can find just that combination. The corner block Brf Block, designed by prominent architect Andreas Martin-Löf on behalf of FFAB, has a generous brick architecture where even the balcony fronts are clad in brick.
In Brf Block, brick is clearly the main feature – but if you look at Brf Block from a distance, it is not obvious that the two buildings have brick facades. The brick slowly emerges as you get closer, and more details are revealed as you observe the frontage.
What creates this special effect is the technique used to lay the bricks. Here the mortar has been allowed to flow over the brick, softening the edges and giving the buildings a lighter, more modern feel. Instead of seeing the sharp outline of each brick, the mortar creates an irregularity in the facade that gives it an organic and soft appearance.
The wings of history
It is no coincidence that brick was chosen for the facade of Brf Block. Brickwork is an Uppsala specialty that dates back hundreds of years. As early as the 14th century, it was discovered that the thick layers of glacial clay created perfect conditions for clay production of various kinds. With industrialization, it was natural for brickworks to appear here, especially in Kapellgärdet.
The wings of history
It is no coincidence that brick was chosen for the facade of Brf Block. Brickwork is an Uppsala specialty that dates back hundreds of years. As early as the 14th century, it was discovered that the thick layers of glacial clay created perfect conditions for clay production of various kinds. With industrialization, it was natural for brickworks to appear here, especially in Kapellgärdet.
Deliberate nuance shifts
Kapellgärdet’s brick factory is no longer there, so for Brf Block FFAB has instead sourced the bricks from a Danish brick factory that fired the bricks in two different places – in two different colors. The nuances of the bricks mean that one house is a traditional brick red, while the other has a more gray tone. There is a warmth in both colors that makes them harmonize beautifully with each other when the buildings meet at an angle, creating a dynamic between the buildings. A conscious choice by architect Andreas Martin-Löf:
– The two different colors are important, but also the composition where the roof contrasts with the facade. It is a game between repetition and variation, says Andreas Martin-Löf.