This was a large project – 400 M(2) requiring 26,000 bricks. The team sent out a variety of choices in pale yellow and buff colourways.
The final decision was our Tumbled Reclamation Buff, a new handmade brick processed to recreate the reclamation look, which both complimented and clashed with the modern design of their build. Traditional with a twist, perfectly imperfect, and one that in the end, really encapsulates the wow factor they were after. We asked self-builder Giuliano Rapoz to sit down for a quick Q&A…
When did you decide to undertake a self-build project, and how and why did you decide on the location?
Building our own home has always been a dream and goal of ours. We have always been fans of Grand Designs and great architecture, and we knew at some point in our lives it was on the ‘to-do’ list. We were living in Reading, and during the COVID lockdown we really felt the struggle of not having outdoor space, along with tripping over each other whilst working from home. We wanted to move to the countryside to a house where we had the space to raise a family, so we made the decision to search for some land to build our own house. Lincolnshire Wolds has some beautiful countryside, yet you can get into central London in a couple of hours, and it’s located in between both of our families, so it seemed an ideal location.
How did you decide what colour/type of bricks you were going to use?
Planning was granted based on a 19th Century malthouse that once existed on site, of quite high importance and significance to the local area. Through research, it was believed that a specific type of locally made buff brick was used in its construction and so was part of the planning approval. We were required to use a brick that emulated this brick as a nod to the original structure. It would be critical to create a country, rustic, time-worn aesthetic. It was something we were always conscious of, being sure to respect the heritage and history of the site. Something that we think is quite difficult to do with a ‘new building.’
Why did you choose an Imperial Bricks product over anything else you considered?
Believe it or not, we looked at 32 different brick suppliers! We were extremely selective about being sure about picking the right one for our project. We loved the story behind Imperial Bricks, and everything felt extremely personable, such as speaking directly to the owners who were extremely helpful. Imperial arranged several free sample boards, and even sent us 25 actual bricks so that we could build a mini brick wall and get a feel for the bricks. Most importantly, the bricks themselves are beautiful. Each one is totally unique as the bricks themselves are handmade in the traditional manner, with clay being thrown into a mould, thus resulting in bricks which are distinct and full of character. It’s something quite poetic (and a bit sad, really) that bricks are often not made in this traditional way anymore. We felt it was worth paying a premium for.
What thoughts did you have regarding the bricks once they arrived on site and the bricklaying began?
We already knew we loved the bricks, having ordered a sample board and having (badly) built a brick wall ourselves. So, when they arrived on site, it was a special moment for sure, but at the same time, very familiar. Our bricklayers loved working with them due to the soft, tumbled edges, which made them easy to handle, and it was an exciting time in the build to start seeing the walls go up.
Finally, how was it working with Imperial Bricks on this once-in-a-lifetime build?
We would not hesitate to recommend Imperial and the team. They worked with us right from the beginning to provide sample boards of their bricks. We were kept up to date on the delivery of the bricks ahead of time, and they were delivered on the scheduled date as promised. Needless to say, the bricks are of superb quality, and we had a surprisingly low amount of wastage! The bricks are full of character, made in the traditional way, and you can really tell. They complete the build. All in all, a faultless experience.
Ruth Hughes, Head of Specifications, reciprocated the warm accolades, “Zara and Giuliano were a delight to work with, and the depth of their project involvement was clear from the start. Working with them and watching their new home take shape has been a pleasure. It’s also been an exciting time for us to showcase our product knowledge and be a part of the filming process for Grand Designs. We wish them all the best and are exceptionally proud to have worked alongside them on this project.”
Read our full case study on The Foxes Maltings here.
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If you missed the episode, catch up on Channel 4 on Demand.