Brick by brick: The company that built Australia

In response to the severe impact of The Great Depression on the brick manufacturing industry in the 1930s, the NSW Brick Masters’ Association had to make brick production more efficient and economical. The solution was the establishment of Brickworks Limited in 1934, with a focus on the marketing and distribution of bricks and clay products.

During World War II in 1945, Brickworks leased multiple locations to the Royal Australian Navy for storage purposes and converted other sites into ammunition stores to aid the war efforts. Moving into the 1950s, Brickworks acquired Austral Bricks, which made them the largest brick manufacturer in Australia. By 1961, Brickworks Limited (BKW) was publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

In the 2000s, Brickworks acquired Bowral Bricks, Bristile Roofing and GB Masonry, which established them as one of the largest building product companies in the world. Presently, Brickworks is at the forefront of numerous building material innovations.

Brickworks' current focus is on sustainability with the launch of the Brickworks Carbon Offsetting Program and the development of Australia's first carbon-neutral certified brick. Their first carbon-neutral brick operation is based in Longford, Tasmania, with all bricks manufactured sustainably using low-emissions biofuel, including the exclusive carbon-neutral brick range, Daniel Robertson.

Recognised as Australia’s leading manufacturer of clay building products, their brick and paver brands include Australbricks, Bowral Bricks, Daniel Robertson, Nubrik and Glen-Gery. A recent Austral Bricks’ creation of Venetian Glass Bricks can be viewed in their ambient wonder in Sydney’s CBD. Designed by the Architecture team at Woods Bagot, 44 Market Street showcases the design possibility of glass bricks in urban settings to illuminate the often dark facades of towers.

Brickworks’ masonry and stone brands Austral Masonry, Urbanstone and GB Masonry are often featured in bespoke projects and unique architectural designs. The landscape architectural team at Aspect Studios featured Urbanstone’s Australian Granite in Austral Juperana for Perth’s Yagan Square project. Situated among green space, the stone creates texture and tone as the pavers begin to cascade over one another in a stream-like fashion, mirroring the flow of water from the fountains above.

Architectural firm SJB and Austral Bricks’ Italian brand San Selmo collaborated extensively for months to achieve the unique custom-glazed bricks for the redevelopment of 52 Reservoir Street in Surry Hills. Once sandwiched between towering neighbours, 52 Reservoir Street no longer sits modestly among the Surry Hills landscape. The new glimmering finish on the San Selmo custom glazed brick façade has a kaleidoscope of blues designed to appear like scales shimmering through water.

Brickworks benefits from subsidiary companies Southern Cross Concrete, Capital Battens, and Bristile Roofing to provide high-quality and cost-effective raw materials. With a 90-year history, Brickworks’ durable and versatile products have proven to withstand economic uncertainty and climate challenges. The company's continued drive for sustainability and innovation offers architects and designers a plethora of creative possibilities to explore well into the future.

Discover more of Brickworks' brands and innovative products.

Words by Casey Arden