Historic Running Bond Brick Pattern - Montreal

A really satisfying group of historic triplex buildings on Deluth street in Montréal.  Simple pattern, but such richness when applied on several buildings, there is even a delightful bonus one if you go around the corner!

Click here for the street view: https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.5161209,-73.5801773,3a,75y,83.06h,101.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxyVieMTj_0zRc_kU-62bsw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Sunlight and brickwork

This is another minimal modern brick project that I came across yesterday hidden in the streets of Montréal north.  I am very impressed with how minimal the architecture is, how it fits into the context because of the material (brick) and because it is the same size as adjacent houses. At first glance it appears a bit stark, however, upon closer investigation there is carefully integrated brick bondwork that is completely activated by sunlight.  I happened to pass by early in the morning when it was getting sun, but it is cast in shadow 90% of the day, which is very different (last image showing the context). If the building were on the other side of the street it would be much more dynamic with the brickwork casting moving shadows all day.  I am working towards achieving this in my own work, so it is very inspiring.  It is important to understand the location and movement of daylight to really activate this type of brickwork.

Stretcher Bond Patterns for Brick facing or Brick veneer

I'm working on a project right now at work with a solid brick wall along the back, and a light and dark metal wall next to it.  I was asked to "make the wall more interesting" so the neighbours from the back can have something to look at instead of a plain brick fire wall.  Traditional masonry would vary the stretcher and header bricks to make a pattern, but there are still options for modern stretcher bond patterns; Using a light and dark variation (or any two colours) there are many options to animate a wall. Below are a few that we preferred, some are just sketches so you'll have to imagine the rest of the wall complete.  Each pattern can be varied a great deal by changing the size of each "stripe" and the spacing between, also choosing only a portion of the wall to apply a pattern often has a better result than applying the pattern to the entire wall area.

Brick Patterns for Stretcher Bond

Stripes

Argyle Criss Cross

Zigzag

Diagonal Stripe