A Nearly Complete Guide To Exploring Breezeblocks As An Architectural Fad

I’m not sure if you pay much attention to architectural trends, but if you do, you’ll notice that the humble breeze block is making a resurgence. Best remembered for screening the entrance to your Nanna’s house in the suburbs, this little, patterned decorative block, is causing quite the stir.

You probably never appreciated the quiet strength and beauty of this particular feature, but hold on to your hats because the breeze block is here to be adored once more.

We appear to be in the midst of a renewed interest in all things mid-century modern (walked around an Ikea lately?) and this trend has spread beyond furniture and modern home design to materials, which is where we welcome back the breeze block.

This cost effective and striking concrete block work excellently as a feature wall, a screening device and as a cheap way to create interest. What is surprising is how many custom home builders with large budgets and freedom of choice when it comes to sourcing building materials, are choosing to use our little square friend over imported materials, or locally sourced timber.

Modern home design is commonly restricted due to block size, as the Aussie dream of building on a quarter acre block is repurposed into building on tiny 250m2 blocks. Innovative floorplans and eye-catching features are what both off-the-plan and custom home builders rely on to attract buyers.

So why use breeze blocks, other than because they have personality? Simple really - breeze blocks or concrete masonry units, (which is their technical name) possess qualities that don’t exist in other materials. You can make permeable walls out of timber, sheet materials or even bricks, but you won’t get the same effect as those breeze blocks provide. When formed into a wall, these blocks form a private and secure durable screen, which offers shade, weather protection and ventilation, and has the added bonus of being pretty to look at.

Architectural magazines love the interplay of light and shadow breeze blocks create, and if you pick up almost any current magazine, you’ll be sure to see a whole spread of pictures reflecting this trend.

While it’s true that they are formed out of a particularly drab and scratchy concrete, you’ll notice that many custom home builders use white paint to great effect. By painting the blocks, the stunning geometric design is highlighted, creating a feature of some beauty. A breeze block screen wall can be a beautiful thing – maybe your Nanna was on to something after all.

Not too sure about the brown beer bottle windows though, Nan, you can keep those.

For more information regarding modern house design and Perth home designers visit our website: residentialattitudes.com.au