Why Architects Choose York Handmade
At York Handmade Brick, our bespoke bricks have become a favourite among architects across the UK and Europe. One of our most crucial relationships, perhaps our most crucial relationship, is with the architects with whom we work. We value their support, their expertise and their vision and we are so proud of the many award-winning buildings we have created together in the UK and Europe.
It is very humbling to hear what they say about us. Below are the comments of four hugely talented architects from practices in York, Malton and London.
Stanton Williams - Winchester College Boarding House
Our handmade bricks were specified by Luke O’Bray, associate with London-based architects Stanton Williams for their architectural brickwork on the new boarding house at Winchester College.
“Drawing on the character and materiality of the existing stock of boarding houses at Winchester College, brick is used as the primary external material finish for the new buildings.
“Our project at Winchester College called for a brick that could provide warmth, depth, variation and a sense of permanence that complemented the neighbouring buildings. York Handmade’s bricks provide a handmade quality, rich textural quality and tonal variation, which help us to achieve our ambition of creating high-quality architecture, rooted in place.
“Being the most dominant façade material, the bricks play a crucial role in grounding the new boarding houses within their historic setting. Brick is a material inherently associated with longevity, and its use in this project reinforces the idea of building that is designed to endure. The robust masonry construction ensures a timeless quality, aligning with Stanton Williams’ ethos of creating architecture that is both contemporary and enduring.
“The York Handmade bricks play a crucial role in mediating between the timber, metal, and precast stone façade elements, establishing a cohesive material dialogue that enhances the architectural language. The handmade quality of the bricks serves as a unifying element, allowing the more precise and engineered materials to be framed within a richly textured and contextually sensitive backdrop.
“We’re very pleased with the bricks provided to date. Beyond their visual impact, the bricks contribute to the sensory experience of the spaces. Their rough, textural quality invites touch, reinforcing a sense of material honesty and durability. This tactility plays a crucial role in spaces designed for students, making the boarding houses feel grounded, welcoming, and enduring. The brick’s robustness and durability ensure that the buildings will age gracefully, further embedding them within the historic fabric of Winchester College.”
Winchester bricks were used in this project, a special premix variation loosely based on our Old Clamp Blend, but it was customised to meet the specifiers bespoke requirements. The same mix was used on the RIBA Stirling prize winning Magdalene College library.
Mitchell Design Consultancy - Long Term Collaboration
Simon Mitchell, is the founder and managing director of York-based Mitchell Design Consultancy.
“I am a tremendous advocate of York Handmade’s stunning bricks and am very proud indeed of the relationship we have enjoyed ever since the late 1980s when both our companies were founded.
“Since then, York Handmade Brick has always been my first choice of brick supplier when working on new designs and projects which require handmade bricks of quality. It is a remarkable business, serving the industry like no other in the country. Of course, it is an added bonus that their brickworks are only 10 miles down the road.”
“It is always a pleasure to work with a company like York Handmade. They are focussed and flexible, understanding exactly what a customer needs, and skilled enough to provide exactly what is wanted.
“For those of us who are determined to design and produce using the ultimate in quality, both in material and in innovation (York Handmade’s range expands yearly) the company is there to discuss exacting specifications for each and every project. Their assistance, I find, is always invaluable.”
Bramhall Blenkharn - Local Projects with Impact
Mark Bramhall of Malton-based Bramhall Blenkharn.
“We have been specifying the York Handmade brick products for about 30 years. I think I became aware of the company in the early 1990s. The majority of our work is in the Yorkshire region and York Handmade represents not only locally sourced material, but also one of the highest quality. They are specifically willing to work with us to find the correct blend for a project and we have never had a problem with supply or delivery. We would, and have, recommended York Handmade bricks to other architects and developers.
“Projects of note include the walled gardens at Scampston Hall where we had to conserve and rebuild the existing structure as well as building a visitor centre. This won a major national award. Another outstanding project was Halcyon Lodge in Ponteland which was a new build property in an arts and crafts style with stone mullioned windows and basket weave brick panels amongst other features.
“Mowbray Hall in Felixkirk is another magnificent building. There’s no doubt that it will stand the test of time and that in 50 to 100 years’ time, people will still be impressed by its quality and elegance. York Handmade also provided the subtle and detailed brickwork at the corners of the building, which vindicated our decision not to use stone there. In a nutshell, the appearance and quality of York Handmade’s bricks have played a significant part in the success of Mowbray Hall.”
Alison Brooks Architects - Cadence, King's Cross
Alison Brooks of London-based Alison Brooks Architects who was interested in premium facing bricks and bespoke bricks, commented:
“We were delighted to use York Handmade’s bricks for Cadence, our flagship residential development in the heart of King’s Cross. The colour, texture and format of the bricks were perfect for this high-profile development, and we couldn’t have asked for a better union of architectural concept and façade material.
“Bricks were central to this development. We were looking for a brick to achieve our design intention of a monolithic, sculptural building form expressed in a vibrant orange-red hue, like the colour of nearby St. Pancras Station. We were also looking for a long-format brick, like the long bricks of ancient Roman buildings. We were delighted to find the York Handmade bricks that fulfilled all three of these criteria.
“We found York Handmade’s response time to our queries was very quick and always helpful. Their bricks have become the emblem of our exuberant King’s Cross landmark tower. It’s wonderful to see the colour of the brick change at different times of day, from a vibrant orange to a soft ochre. The radiant arches make everyone smile.”
Handmade Bricks for Quality and Longevity
Our handmade bricks combine quality, heritage, and versatility, which is why they are chosen time and time again for prestigious award-winning buildings. As the testimonials above state, we pride ourselves on making durable handmade bricks, brickwork with timeless appeal, and offer materials for conservation architecture.
These wonderful comments are a resounding endorsement of what we have been trying to achieve since the company was founded in 1988. They make us incredibly proud and, at the same time, determined to maintain these standards – and these relationships – in the years to come.
