Rethinking Walls: Large Format Clay Blocks - implications for the Swift Brick
Edward Mayer
Good morning everyone! There's a"new" sort of brick being popularised here in the UK, (actually it has been in use in Europe for at least 50 years, probably a lot more) which means that where it is used walls will not be cavity walls, nor as thick, any more. This has implications for our Swift Bricks. Designers and manufacturers to note! All the best, Edward
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| Subject: | Small Scale, BIG Ideas: EH Smith and Kashdan Brown Architects Talk |
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| Date: | Tue, 19 May 2026 17:02:48 +0000 |
| From: | Building Centre <ne...@buildingcentre.co.uk> |
| Reply-To: | Building Centre <ne...@buildingcentre.co.uk> |
| To: | edward...@swift-conservation.org |
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Rethinking Masonry: Large Format Clay Blocks |
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20 May | 1PM
Join us for an insightful talk exploring a construction method that’s transforming housing across continental Europe—but is still largely under the radar here in the UK. Large format cellular clay blocks offer a modern alternative to traditional cavity wall construction. By harnessing the natural thermal properties of clay, these systems enable the creation of comfortable, low-energy homes with a simplified wall build-up—supporting both sustainability and performance. In this session, we’ll take a closer look at how these innovative blocks work, their benefits in practice, and why they’re gaining traction internationally. About the speaker Andy
has worked with Julian and Julia Kashdan-Brown on
residential projects where Porotherm was used as the
main structure of the building. Julian and Julia feel
that Porotherm is an ideal material for their
proposition of utilising rear garden space in suburban
areas to build more homes. The simplicity of the
material, combined with the innovative construction
method attracted the Kashdan-Browns to want to include
Porotherm in their Small Scale, BIG Ideas exhibition
story. |
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