Ibstock Swanage brick at Paternoster House

Ibstock Swanage brick helps Paternoster House stand out as Ibstock award winner

Sited in the heart of Roman London and close to the Wall, Paternoster House was designed by concept architects Sir William Whitfield and Partners with many references to the City's ancestry, and transforms what was once a bleak square to the north of St Paul's Cathedral.

Amongst the many design features that helped win it the BDA Brick Award 2004 for Best Commercial Building is the use of Ibstock's Swanage brick in a purpose made size and blend of colours.

Martyn Gates, Project Architect from executive architects Sidell Gibson Partnership, commented: "The Ibstock Swanage brick was selected because it resembled the original Roman bricks found extensively in the foundations of the buildings around this area".

"Ibstock was happy to imitate the Roman dimensions of the originals, producing a special brick that is 46mm high".

"This was combined with 15mm mortar jointing and a very unusual bond pattern, known as Monk Bond to create a distinctive texture to the main elevations".

"In fact, this appearance will continue to develop as a high proportion of sharp sand was used in the mortar and, over five years or so, the fines will be washed out of the surface by rain, leaving a characteristically gritty exterior".

Other design elements, which contribute to the elegance of the building, include the rhythms of the fenestration dictated by the rounded arches to the ground and first floors, and running up to the pilastered loggia gallery on the top floor.

Projecting and recessed brick detailing, string courses and brick arches add further interest while the smooth light grey stone blockwork relates the building to the Portland stone of its neighbour St Paul's.

Structural arches were designed and manufactured by Manchester Brick and Precast, an Ibstock Group company.

David Ainsworth, of City Office Developments, commented: "We felt that use of brick was a definite plus for the commercial attractiveness of the property".

Client: City Office Developments and Commerzgrundbesitz Investmentgesellschaft.

Concept Architect: Sir William Whitfield.

Executive Architect: Sidell Gibson Partnership.

Contractor: Bishop Developments.

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