A New Take on an Australian Classic – Kite Breeze by Brickworks

Adam Goodrum and Brickworks reinterpret an icon of 1960s Australian design with Kite Breeze, a new take on the classic Australian breezeblock.

Drawing on Adam’s affinity for geometric art, the collection revives the classic design through a refined modern sensibility, without losing any of the practical function that made breezeblocks such a staple of mid-century Australian architecture. Where breeze blocks of the past were cast in rough cement, Kite Breeze uses terracotta clay-based technology, giving the blocks a graphic edge and tactile materiality.

The design ethos generated by the quintessential Australian indoor-outdoor lifestyle saw breezeblocks become a key element of building ventilation into the structure of the home. The natural ventilation provided by breezeblocks was a heavenly relief on baking-hot summer days, while their design potential captured the imagination of architects and homeowners, resulting in a rise to popularity in the middle of the 20th century. Adam remembers breezeblocks fondly – “growing up in WA I was surrounded by houses of the 50s and 60s where breeze blocks were a prominent feature,” he says. “I see them as a symbol of Australia’s love of the outdoors, and the way we embrace indoor-outdoor living.”

The clean lines and strong angles present in his new breezeblock design draw one in, with the half-inset panel permitting light while at the same time casting oblique shadows that enliven a space. Adam believes that “one of the most poetic aspects of the breezeblock is its ability to create ambience via the interplay of light and shadow. From just one single block there is an abundance of configurations, patterns and arrangements to design with, so I’m intrigued to see how architects, designers and homeowners can play with Kite to help bring their designs to life.”

“One of the most poetic aspects of the breezeblock is its ability to create ambience via the interplay of light and shadow.”

Reiterating the strong Australian connection to the breeze block, the colour scheme recalls the sundrenched colours and breathtaking natural beauty of Adam’s childhood home, Western Australia. Available in White, Dune and Terracotta, the naturally inspired colours imbue any space warmth and sophistication. The collaboration is two years in the making, a meticulous process of design to craft a product that is as much sculpture as building material. The result is a contemporary take on an age-old classic, one that transforms all elements of a space: air, light, and shadow.

Adam Goodrum and Brickworks have taken an iconic Australian design feature and revived it in a strong contemporary form. Deceptively simple in its design but deeply complex in its effect, Kite Breeze represents a sophisticated resurrection of classic Australian design.