ARCHITECTS TURN TO BRICK FOR DURABILITY, DESIGN FLEXIBILITY & CLIMATE PERFORMANCE
Three Australian residential projects highlight how brick is being used in contemporary home design to support comfort, resilience and long-term performance.
1 min
Brick continues to play a significant role in contemporary Australian residential architecture, with a series of recently highlighted projects demonstrating how the traditional building material is being adapted to meet modern design expectations and environmental demands.
The case studies focus on three homes in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, where brick has been used to balance aesthetic considerations with practical performance benefits such as durability, thermal efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements.
At a suburban residence on Badgery Avenue, pale-toned brickwork has been used to reinterpret established streetscapes through a more contemporary architectural approach, with uniform masonry emphasising sculptural curves and clean structural lines.
In regional Queensland, a rural property known as Springdale demonstrates brick’s ability to withstand challenging environmental conditions.
The use of textured brickwork helps the home blend with its natural surroundings while providing strength against heat, wind and long-term weather exposure.
“Australian homes ask a lot of their materials, and brick has always been one of the few that can deliver beauty and performance in equal measure,” says Brickworks spokesperson, Brett Ward.
“These homes show just how versatile brick can be — whether it’s creating a striking façade, providing year-round comfort, or offering the kind of durability that stands up to the harshest conditions.
“Brick gives homeowners confidence. It’s a material that looks incredible on day one and continues to perform for generations.”
Thermal performance is also highlighted in a coastal home at Point Leo on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, where brick has been used both internally and externally to help regulate indoor temperatures.
Its density also contributes to acoustic insulation, supporting quieter living environments in both coastal and urban settings.
According to Brickworks, the featured homes reflect growing interest in materials that combine architectural versatility with long-term resilience and passive design benefits suited to Australia’s varied climate conditions.
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Australia’s median advertised rent has climbed to a record high, with every capital city recording quarterly price growth despite a slight lift in vacancy rates.
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Australia’s rental market has reached a new milestone, with national median advertised rents climbing to a record $670 per week in the June quarter as prices continued to rise across every capital city.
New data from realestate.com.au shows national rents increased 3.1 per cent over the quarter and 6.4 per cent over the past year, while capital city rents rose 2.2 per cent over the quarter to a median of $690 per week, up $10 from the March quarter.
REA Group economist Luc Redman said rental price growth had continued despite a small increase in vacancy rates.
“National median rents reached a new high in the June quarter, with widespread price growth across the capitals,” he said.
“The rent increases occurred despite a small increase in the rental vacancy rate over the same period.”
Melbourne and Perth recorded the strongest quarterly growth among the capitals, with rents increasing 3.5 per cent in each city. On an annual basis, Perth led the nation with rental growth of 10.3 per cent, followed by Hobart at 9.1 per cent and Darwin at 7.7 per cent.
Sydney remained Australia’s most expensive city for renters, with a median advertised rent of $800 per week, while Melbourne and Hobart were the most affordable capital cities at $600 per week.
Regional markets were more subdued, with rents holding steady over the quarter but remaining 5.3 per cent higher than a year ago, suggesting the rapid pace of growth outside the capitals has eased.
Mr Redman said the full impact of the Federal Budget’s changes to investor tax settings was yet to be seen.
“The May Federal Budget, which announced sweeping changes to investor tax settings, occurred in the middle of the quarter, so the full impact on the rental market is yet to be seen,” he said.
“While the vacancy rate has edged higher, the expected decrease in investor demand due to the budget’s tax changes could slow the pace of new supply, putting further pressure on rents.”
The report also found house rents continued to outpace units, rising 2.9 per cent across capital cities over the quarter compared with 1.5 per cent for units. Melbourne was the only capital where renting a unit was more expensive than renting a house, reflecting demand for well-located apartments.
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The megamansion was built for Tony Pritzker, heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune and brother of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
