Long format bricks have transformed contemporary architecture over the past decade. Their elongated proportions create clean lines and a sense of horizontal movement that standard brick dimensions cannot achieve. For architects and specifiers looking to push boundaries while maintaining the durability and timeless appeal of brick construction, long format bricks offer aesthetic flexibility that works across both modern and traditional contexts.
The visual effect of long brick is striking. The reduced number of mortar joints creates a smoother, more continuous facade. Yet despite their contemporary appearance, long format bricks retain all the technical advantages that have made brick a preferred building material for centuries - thermal performance, weather resistance, and minimal maintenance requirements.
At UK Brick, we've supplied long format bricks from Randers Tegl to some of the most interesting architectural projects across the UK. These projects demonstrate the versatility of linear brick, from rural settings to urban centres, from residential to commercial applications. The following three examples showcase different approaches to working with long format bricks.
Set in the Kent countryside, Domaine Evremond represents the first English vineyard from Champagne Taittinger. The winery and visitor centre required a building that would reflect both French wine making heritage and its British setting, while creating a modern space that speaks to quality and craft.
UK Brick worked with Stiff + Trevillion Architects in London and Pace Architecture in Paris from the early design stages. The process involved several detailed consultations to understand the aesthetic and technical requirements, with bespoke sample panels created using different mortars and tones to refine the final palette.
The Winter White Linear bricks from our Ultima Linear Range were selected for their pale tone, fine texture, and slender profile. These long format bricks provide the crisp geometry that defines the building's facade, while their horizontal emphasis complements the vineyard landscape.
The brickwork features a perforated pattern that balances transparency with solidity, filtering light into the building. The contemporary design sits naturally within the Kent countryside, framed by the chalky soils that characterise the region.
This five-bedroom house was designed with accessibility at the forefront, creating spaces that allow a wheelchair-dependent client to live independently. The building's position in a beautiful Hampshire setting called for architecture that would celebrate the landscape while meeting exacting functional requirements.
Working alongside Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt Architects Design, we supplied our RT154 Ultima Winter White Linear brick. The house won House of the Year at the British Home Awards 2021.
The brickwork draws inspiration from nearby historic brickwork and clay pits. The ground floor plinth uses pale coloured, long format bricks to express depth and solidity. Deep reveals and chambers in the brickwork create a great aesthetic. The long brick format contributes to the building's horizontal emphasis, helping it sit naturally in the landscape.
Completed in 2019 in the exclusive St John's Wood neighbourhood, The Compton sits adjacent to Lord's Cricket Ground. This development of 49 apartments required brickwork that would meet the high standards expected in this prestigious location while creating a contemporary aesthetic.
We supplied Regal Homes with our Mid Grey Linear Bricks from the Ultima Linear Range. What made this project particularly interesting was the requirement for curved brickwork. We were chosen specifically for our ability to manufacture unique, curved, purpose-made linear bricks.
The curved facades create a sculptural quality that's rare in brick construction, and the mid grey colours provide a modern look. The architecture by Simon Bowden Architects, with interiors designed in collaboration with Kelly Hoppen, demonstrates how long format bricks can work in high-end residential settings.
These three projects illustrate key advantages of specifying long format bricks. The horizontal emphasis creates a beautiful visual effect. The reduced mortar joints produce cleaner lines while maintaining textural quality.
From a technical perspective, long format bricks from Randers Tegl maintain excellent durability and weather resistance. The manufacturing process ensures consistency in dimensions. Technical information and support are available throughout the specification process to ensure projects achieve the intended results.
For your next project, whether a rural winery, an accessible residence, or an urban apartment building, long format bricks offer possibilities that standard brick dimensions cannot match.
At UK Brick, we maintain a stock of long format bricks from Randers Tegl, which means shorter lead times than you might expect for specialist building materials. We can provide samples and technical support to help you specify the right product for your project requirements.
If you're considering long format bricks for an upcoming project, we'd be happy to discuss how they might work in your specific context. Our team can guide you through the selection process and provide the technical information needed for confident specification.
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Long format bricks, also called linear bricks, are typically around 490mm in length compared to standard UK bricks at 215mm. The height is usually reduced to around 38mm (versus 65mm for standard bricks), which creates the distinctive horizontal proportions.
Long format bricks are laid using similar techniques to standard bricks, though masons may need to adjust to the different proportions. The mortar joints and installation methods remain the same.
Yes, long format bricks can be manufactured as purpose-made specials for curved applications, as demonstrated in The Compton project. The longer length actually emphasises curved forms beautifully.