Employee Blog ›
Maria Krasnova,
June 02

Why old bricks and barn boards are not just a trend, but a dialogue with time

Hazelwood School, Glasgow (Gordon Murray + Alan Dunlop, 2007). The school is partly built from bricks salvaged from the demolition of Victorian buildings in the area. The historic brick creates a sense of continuity in a rapidly changing neighborhood.

In our practice, we increasingly encounter clients' desire to bring elements with «soul» into their modern homes – materials that have already lived one life and are ready to start a new one. Old bricks with makers' marks, barn wood with traces of time, antique roof tiles – these are not just building materials. They are artifacts carrying stories that can enrich even the most ultra-modern facade.

Why are we drawn to the «old»?

Tactility and uniqueness. In an era of mass production, materials with history offer unique textures, patinas, and imperfections. Every scratch on a barn board, every chip on an old brick tells its own micro-story.
Emotional connection. These materials create a sense of rootedness, even if the house was built yesterday. Touching an 18th-century brick is like touching time itself.
Environmental friendliness. Reusing materials is a trend, but it's important to understand their origin and processing.

Ningbo Historic Museum, China (Wang Shu, 2008) Wang Shu used millions of bricks and tiles from demolished traditional buildings in the region. The materials were laid using modern technologies but retained their historical authenticity. The architect received the Pritzker Prize for this project.

Practical advice

Where to look: specialized companies, demolition sites, restoration workshops. The material must be cleaned, treated for pests, and strengthened if necessary.
Sense of proportion: A «speaking» material requires a calm background. One accent on the facade is better than three. The house should not turn into a museum exhibit.
Construction: Old materials often have non-standard sizes and characteristics. Pre-revolutionary brick may require thicker joints, and its load-bearing capacity differs from modern brick.
Dialogue with modernity: Contrast – yes, conflict – no. Modernity should emphasize the beauty of historical material, and the latter should add warmth to new architecture.

Using materials with history in modern facades is a way to create architecture with depth and character. It is an opportunity to tell a story without writing a word, to create an emotional connection between a person and a home.

Architecture is not only about convenience and beauty, but also about memory, about the connection between generations.