Linea 6012 gives form to the architecture and makes reference to the site’s past

Brickfields, a project that effortlessly unites past and present

When architect and designer Daniel Sanderson, stumbled upon the opportunity to purchase an additional plot of land adjacent to his property in Hackney, London, he decided to design and build a house that both reflects his personal style and acknowledges the history and architecture of the surrounding Victorian estate.

The new build, titled Brickfields House, references the site's historical background, which was once used as a brick manufacturing field, producing bricks for Victorian London. Brickfields is within the Northwold and Cazenove Conservation area, in the London borough of Hackney. “As well as wanting to create something that reflected my ideas and personality, I particularly wanted to build something that showed appreciation of the location's history. And give a nod to the Victorian architecture of the neighbourhood. Therefore, brick was the obvious choice given its historic importance for the development of this region in the Victorian era.”- Daniel Sanderson

The population of Hackney quadrupled within half a century, due to the expansion of the railway network, transforming the ‘Brick Fields’ into a desirable borough of London. Terraces accessed by steps and with decorative porticoes at the front of houses are a key feature of Victorian architecture and they are usually located above a semi-basement level. However, Brickfields House has a unique quality of being set partly below ground level, creating an escape for the busy streets above. Using large windows and skylights, Daniel's designs create an exclusively private space, while maximising natural light.

Brick also served as his inspiration for the design of Brickfields and particular attention was paid to the composition of the brickwork. He used long, narrow hand-made bricks which were laid both horizontally – for the fenestration bands – and vertically. Those latter bands also function as lintels, serving as an interruption in order to delineate the floors.

“I also added a playful element that makes reference to the window tax of the past. We used these ‘blind windows’ in a similar way to their original application. They give the façade an appropriate symmetry, balance and consistency. I deliberately chose Wasserstrich Hand-Made linea 6012 from Vande Moortel, which I discovered a few years ago when the bricks were used for a project in London. It was the first time that I had seen this type of facing brick and I liked the clean lines, where the facing brick is brought into focus by the use of raked mortar. I knew that was what I wanted for Brickfields too.”

Every surface of Brickfields is hand-made, therefore this particular brick fits the concept perfectly. Every brick is unique, which contributes towards the experience of Daniel’s woodwork and handcrafted furniture. Daniel chose a dark variant to contrast with the typical London stock of the existing Victorian terraces.

“Given the historical context and my aspirations for a design that acknowledged the surrounding typology, the choice of facing brick was critical to the success of the project. And in my opinion, this dark, slim brick that has introduced a new iteration of brickwork to Hackney does that admirably. In order for them not to compete with the brickwork, I chose anthracite sanded SeptimA Colosseum clay pavers for the terrace. They complement the brickwork and bring harmony in the relationship with the garden too.”

Daniel Sanderson left nothing to chance. “Brickfields is a completely personal project that I have worked extremely hard on for five years. The lockdown period gave me the opportunity to hone my carpentry skills. I bought a lathe among other things. I love working with timber: it can be a very sustainable material when sourced correctly. It’s also a warm material that connects us to nature. I used it throughout the house to soften the exposed brick surfaces. Although there is a visual contrast between these two materials, they connect with each other in the interior due to their natural and handmade character.”

The softening effect through the use of timber is evident in the kitchen, the beating heart of Brickfields, which was the starting point for Daniel’s design. It is positioned so that it catches the evening sun, is connected to the garden and flows seamlessly into the lounge area. “For me, the kitchen is the most important part of a home, a space that brings people together. I created framed views to and from the sunken lounge area. Perhaps I’ve watched too many Bond films, but that’s what I’ve always wanted. In my opinion, the split-level design of these two areas also adds character.” Daniel’s next project is a country house in Nottingham, and he is currently looking to collaborate with people who share his vision.