The brick is making a comeback: 4 examples of impressive modern brick buildings.

Few man-made building materials have stood the test of time as well as the good old, simple brick. Historians believe that bricks are among the oldest known building materials. Archaeologists have found bricks dating back to around 7,000 BC in some ancient settlements in what is now southern Turkey.

The ancient craft of brickmaking continued in Europe during the Middle Ages and reached its peak in the 18th and 19th centuries during the Industrial Revolution, which brought significant advances in brick production.

However, from the 20th century onwards, brick lost popularity as many modernists preferred steel, glass, and concrete.

Tangible Benefits: Timeless, Sustainable, Durable

Despite the ongoing development of building materials and construction technologies, brick is experiencing a comeback. Its global market is growing steadily and consistently by 3 percent per year—and for good reason: Made from clay and shale, brick is a sustainable, natural, and recyclable material. It offers an incredible range of added value and benefits to the building projects in which it is used, including durability, sound insulation, good thermal properties, shape retention, and fire resistance.

In addition, brick has enormous aesthetic appeal: it is timeless and has a classic look that can help enhance the visual appeal of a building. It is available in a variety of colors, textures, and patterns, allowing for creative designs and architectural details.

The following four examples show how bricks can be used in modern architecture to create visually impressive and innovative designs while also establishing a connection to traditional building materials.

Four Impressive Examples of Modern Brick Architecture

Tate Modern – London, United Kingdom

This iconic museum of modern art is located in the former Bankside Power Station, which was converted into a museum in 2000 by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.

The original brick facade of the power station was preserved and gives the museum a distinctive visual identity. The warm color of the brickwork pays homage to the building’s industrial past and contrasts with the modern extensions.

Katwulderplein Parking Garage – Zwolle, Netherlands

That bricks can be used for more than just industrial aesthetics is demonstrated by a brick parking garage in the Dutch city of Zwolle. The ultra-modern design of the Katwulderplein, completed in 2017 by Dok Architects, is inspired by the caravanserais where travelers on the Silk Road recovered from the rigors of crossing the desert.

With its curved lines reminiscent of sand dunes, this fully sustainable parking garage offers space for 700 cars.

PUNI Whiskey Distillery – South Tyrol, Italy

The PUNI whiskey distillery, built in 2012 by Werner Tschull, is Italy’s first and only production facility for this beverage—and its expressive, contemporary brick architecture fits this uniqueness perfectly.

The striking design resembles a cube, but is built in a strictly organized, geometric grid structure that lets in natural sunlight and provides sufficient ventilation to support the distillation process.

Termeh Office Commercial Building – Hamedan, Iran

The Termeh Office Commercial Building is located in Hamedan, one of the most historic cities in Iran, and was completed in 2015 by Ahmad Bathaei and Farshad Mehdizadeh Architects.

With its wave-shaped brick facade that extends to the ground, this unusual building is also a successful example of interactive architecture. Thanks to its walkable construction, which mimics the historic urban structures of Hamedan, the Termeh Office Commercial Building invites the public to sit, stroll, or play here.