Wienerberger, a leading supplier of wall, roof and landscaping innovations, has launched its brand new Wienerberger e4 brick house concept.
Unveiled at its inaugural Showcase event in London this week and designed in conjunction with global engineering organisation ARUP, the house has been designed to demonstrate the future of affordable, sustainable housing in the UK.
Over two years in development, the principle aim of the project is to engage and inspire architects, housebuilders, developers and homeowners.
Using over 200 years of expertise and innovation, Wienerberger has analysed economic and social trends to unveil a unique archetype that directly addresses the UK market need. Economic sustainability and customer needs are at the heart of the Wienerberger e4 brick house concept, ensuring its design will be just as relevant in 150 years time as it is today.
Wienerberger’s leading clay brick and wall technology provides the blueprint for the house of tomorrow – an aspirational living space that is practical, sustainable and innovative. Working in partnership with ARUP, the organisation behind iconic designs such as the Sydney Opera House and Pompidou Centre, Paris, the Wienerberger e4 brick house project is named according to its four founding principles:
- To provide a house that is not only financially affordable and accessible but that gives optimum build performance and meets market demand.
- The Wienerberger e4 brick house will meet current energy standards and will continue to offer a sustainable environment for its life cycle of 150 years plus. Using a ‘fabric first’ approach, the house is designed with efficiency in mind - from the heating and lighting, down to each brick used.
- A house that minimises its environmental impact, is responsibly sourced and meets level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes as standard.
- A house that people will want to live in, a house that not only provides flexibility and practicality, but will allow for a higher quality of living.
Each of these principles has been carefully embedded into the Wienerberger e4 brick house and the specially designed sustainability framework used in the building process; from the architect’s designs right through to the cost-effective and durable clay used in the materials and the specialised construction methods used.
Taking inspiration from the UK’s architectural heritage and rich construction history of clay products, the design concept meets and exceeds architectural standards. Made entirely from Wienerberger building solutions, it’s also adaptable to a range of customers from households with or without children, to older residents. Shared ownership with divided living space even becomes a realistic option with the Wienerberger e4 brick house, giving young couples greater opportunity to get on the property ladder.
Harald Schwarzmayr, Managing Director at Wienerberger, commented: “We’re extremely excited to unveil our plans for the Wienerberger e4 brick house. We hope that the concept will proactively build a better and more affordable future for the UK housing market - as well as providing a proud construction legacy that will surpass current expectations and standards.
“The concept has something for everyone. For architects and designers there are quirky features and innovations in products and design; for housebuilders it is practical and realistic while also providing a roadmap for a fabric first approach suitable for the Code for Sustainable Homes; and for consumers it is aspirational and affordable.
"It’s a solution that meets market requirements in a way that is immediate, yet long-term and sustainable. We welcome enquiries from anyone in the construction industry who would like to discuss this further and to turn the concept into a reality.”
