1. Residential Structure – Kimberley Road, Hurstville
The detail of the form of the bricks used to construct this residential structure is very clear and is apparent from the images taken (above). The type of bond used in this building is stretcher bond; composed of stretcher bricks set in courses on the outer leaf of the cavity walls, which are offset by a half brick length. In reference to the mortar joint used in this structure, the commonly used rolled joint is evident, creating a smooth finish and a half-circle indent. The surface texture of the bricks appears and feels very coarse and jagged. There is also a variation in the colour of the bricks used; there is a variety of shades of brown used to create an appealing pattern on the wall.
2. Danebank School for Girls Gymnasium – The Avenue, Hurstville
The type of bond evident in the construction of this school gymnasium is also stretcher bond creating a clean, precise pattern. In order to maintain the aesthetic appeal of this structure, a flushed mortar joint is used to create a smooth finish. The bricks of this structure have a smooth and level texture, which compliment the type of bond and mortar joint used. These bricks serve a structural purpose in this structure. The bricks used are of the same colour throughout; with mild adjustments in tone. They are contrasted to the colour of the mortar used; a light grey almost white.
3. Heritage House – The Avenue, Hurstville
This old heritage house is the first of many residential structures examined to have a Flemish bond; an alternating pattern of headers and stretchers in the same course. The mortar joint used in this particular structure is a flushed joint, where the surface is given a smooth finish. The surface textures of the majority of the bricks used are smooth, while others appeared to have been weathered by wind and water. Hence, this is able to support the classification of a heritage building. The bricks are of a light shade of brown, almost cream, while the mortar is of a darker tone highlighting the definition of the bricks. It is apparent from the images taken that the bricks vary is different shades as some appear dirty and faded, due to the ageing process they have undergone. The use of these bricks also serves a structural purpose as a load bearing wall, as they compose the exterior cavity wall of the structure.
4. Residential Structure – Cleland Street, Mascot
This particular residence also incorporates the use of stretcher bond in the detailing of the brickwork. The mortar joints that are used in the brickwork are weather struck joints; joints formed by cutting mortar at a particular angle to the brick face. Struck joints are generally used for protection against weathering. It is also apparent that the bricks have a clean, smooth and even surface texture, which places emphasis on a pristine finish. There is also variation in the colour of the bricks, which also assist in the aesthetic appeal. The majority of the bricks used are coloured a reddish-brown, with the few darker coloured brown bricks placed in no particular order to create an active pattern. The bricks serve a structural purpose as they are used for the load bearing wall, as well as a column support (as can be seen from the photograph).
5. Residential Structure – Clevedon Road, Hurstville
This residential structure located in Hurstlville is a recent development that uses stretcher bond also. As for the top of the garage frame, a circular boond is used to create an arc (circular motion). The mortar joint used is a raked joint, where the mortar is raked 8mm back from the edge of the brick face. The joint is used to create a rustic look and hence, it places emphasis on each individual brick. Each brick has a rough, uneven and almost rocky surface. This texture also emphasizes each individual brick as unique. The colour variations used in the structure are of different shades of brown. There are 3 main types evident and they are: light sandstone, reddish-brown and dark brown. The use of variation in colour creates a busy visual aesthetic, which is appealing to the eye. As well as the bricks serving a structural purpose as load bearing walls, they also act as supports at the top of the garage frames. No visual defects are evident in the bricks, this is mainly due to the coarse texture of the bricks, creating an uneven feel all over.
6. Residential Space – Rosemeath Avenue, Kingsgrove
This residential structure also uses a stretcher bond in the detailing of the brickwork. A rolled mortar joint is used in conjunction with the brickwork to create a smooth and level finish. Although, in contrast to this finish is the surface texture of each individual brick. They appear even from a distance but from a closer distance they are coarse and uneven. The use and variation of colour also assists in the deception of the texture of the brickwork. The use of different shades of reddish browns attracts the eye, taking attention away from the brick itself and focusing on colour. The colour of the mortar is also lighter, which places a greater emphasis on the colour of the brickwork. The brickwork is also classified as structural as it used to construct the outer leaf of the cavity walls as well as a foundation elevated from ground level (as can be seen in the image).
7. Take-Away Food Outlet – Homer Street, Kingsgrove
This fast food outlet is also constructed from bricks in the form of stretcher bond. A weather struck joint is used; the angle of the mortar visible at a closer distance. The surface texture of each brick is similar to that of sandstone; a pattern created by uneven and rocky surfaces. The colour of the brickwork is similar to that of sandstone; some slight variations of a light brown, as is the colour of the mortar used to join the bricks. This gives a visible calm and even aesthetic appeal. The brickwork towards the bottom of the structure is faded, but not as obvious due to the light colour choice for bricks.
8. Recent Residential Structure (currently being developed) – Cleland Street, Mascot
The structure also uses stretcher bond in the construction of the brickwork. The specific joint type used in the mortar is flushed joint, which is helpful in achieving a desired smooth finish. Also to assist with this aesthetic appeal, the surface texture of each brick is smooth and even. The colours used in this building are varying shades of a dark brown colour. The use of a light cream colour for the mortar places emphasis on the brickwork; the colour and bond. There are no defects evident in the brickwork of this structure at present, as it has been recently constructed.
9. Hurstville City Uniting Church – The Avenue, Hurstville
The Hurstville City Unity Church uses a Flemish bond brickwork detail, which can be clearly seen in the second photograph. The mortar joint used for this structure is a flushed joint, which presents a clean, smooth finish. This is in conjunction with the surface texture of the bricks, which are level and even themselves. The colour of the brickwork that has been used to construct this church is of a reddish-brown colour; some bricks varying in shades. The colour of the mortar is light cream coloured, which places emphasis on the brickwork, highlighting the pristine finish. The brickwork serves a structural purpose as the exterior of a load bearing wall. The defects which are evident in this structure are: the weathering of the bricks (some which have a bumpy texture) and the weathering of the mortar (at the edges of the brickwork some places have weathered away).
10. Church Hall – The Avenue, Hurstville
The Church Hall shown in the images above uses an English Garden Wall Bond. This structure also uses a flushed joint in the mortar, creating a level finish. Unfortunately, due to the weathering of the bricks, the texture of some has transformed from smooth to an uneven surface. The colour of the brickwork varies from a light reddish-brown to a darker chocolate brown. The use a light coloured mortar also emphasizes the colour of the brickwork. The brickwork is constructed as the exterior of a load bearing wall and hence, serves a structural purpose. As mentioned previously, the only defects evident in the brickwork is the weathering of the bricks and in some cases discolouring.
