The Surprising Fact About Many London Buildings
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Published 2024-07-05
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London Yellow Stock Bricks: A Cornerstone of British Architecture
London Yellow Stock bricks are an iconic element of British architecture, particularly in the capital.
Their distinctive yellowish hue has contributed to the city's architectural identity, shaping the appearance of many historical and contemporary buildings.
London Yellow Stock bricks originated in the 18th and 19th centuries and were predominantly used to construct residential and commercial buildings.
The production of these bricks was closely tied to the clay and chalk-rich subsoils found in the Thames Basin.
The raw materials' specific geological composition and the unique firing process resulted in bricks with a characteristic yellow colour and varied tones, ranging from pale cream to a deeper buff.
One of the key factors behind the widespread use of London Yellow Stock bricks was their durability.
These bricks were fired in traditional clamp kilns, which allowed for a range of temperatures and created a dense and hard-wearing structure.
This robustness suited them to London's weather conditions, offering excellent resistance to the damp and frost typical of the British climate.
The aesthetic appeal of London Yellow Stock bricks is another reason for their enduring popularity.
Their mellow, variegated tones lend a distinctive warmth and texture to buildings, creating a visually appealing contrast with other materials such as red bricks or stone.
This aesthetic quality has made them a favourite among architects and builders, contributing to their use in numerous notable structures, including Georgian terraces, Victorian townhouses, and various public buildings.
In addition to their aesthetic and practical qualities, London Yellow Stock bricks have historical significance.
They are closely associated with the period of rapid urban expansion and industrialisation in London during the 19th century.
Many buildings from this era, including working-class housing, factories, and warehouses, were constructed using these bricks.
As such, they are an integral part of the city's architectural heritage, reflecting its industrial past and the evolution of its urban landscape.
Today, the demand for London Yellow Stock bricks continues, driven by their historic value and unique appearance.
They are often used in restoration projects to maintain the authenticity of period properties.
Modern manufacturing techniques have also produced new bricks that replicate the traditional look and feel, ensuring their continued relevance in contemporary architecture.
The enduring appeal of London Yellow Stock bricks lies in their practicality, aesthetic charm, and historical significance.
They are more than just a building material; they symbolise London's architectural heritage, embodying the city's history and contributing to its unique urban character.
Whether in old Victorian houses or modern restorations, these bricks are a testament to traditional craftsmanship's timeless quality.
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All Comments (21)
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It's probably the most interesting video ever made about London stock bricks, told by an experienced builder with fantastic storytelling skills. Thank you!
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Never would have thought I would watch a 20min video about bricks but that was bloody interesting mate actually
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We need historical documentaries presented by this man
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I never thought I'd be enjoying a program about bricks. But here I'm am, fascinated!
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A few years ago this would have been a BBC Documentary with a big budget. Nowadays all it needs is a phone, a selfie stick and a talented narrator.. with a bit of post production on a home computer. Great video.
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This is the sort of thing that should be on the tele instead of all that celebrity stuff. Really interesting, thanks Roger :)
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That was surprisingly engaging. There was no waffle. The man obviously knows his subject, and he was straight in there!
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I am an architect in Greece and I absolutely loved your video. We don't have many bare brick buildings in my country and I'm always fascinated by the beautiful buildings I see when I visit London
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The BBC or someone needs to put people like you on TV. I might even go back and pay a TV Licence as a consequence. Absolutely brilliant video. Fascinating, informative, humorous (“poor builder, if there’s such a thing”!), articulate, and most of all, genuine. Thank you.
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The man is a very good commentator the Way he sets it all out makes it so easy to understand and appreciate the inheritance that we have in buildings
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I love this combination of first-hand trade experience, historical knowledge, and a genuine appreciation for craftsmanship. From one Londoner to another, keep up the great work!! 🙌
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This is absolutely GOLD, the presenter is a brilliant natural, he makes a vid about bricks 10 x more interesting than a vid about some undeserving celebrity caught with their pants down 😂
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Been a Builder,( started as a Bricklayer,) for nearly 45 years, coming from the midlands nearly all our bricks are red. Always loved those yellow stocks when visiting London, something less harsh and in your face about them. Great video roger.
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Just got home from the pub, watched a 20 minute video about bricks in another city and was fascinated the whole time. Awesome stuff.
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This is the most informative programme on London's buildings I've ever seen.
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“another 100 years no one will notice”. 😊 I never knew a tutorial on bricks could be so fascinating. Thank you. 🇺🇸💙🇬🇧
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When I was learning my trade as a bricklayer (back in the 60s) I recall hearing that, during the blitz, most houses in London would have lime mortar. This was a blessing because it would allow walls to bounce back after being hit by the shock wave from a nearby bomb. Some walls, they reconed had moved by upto a foot and simply bounced back like the skin of a drum. Whereas anything constructed from sand and cement, in the same circumstaces would simply shatter and bring the whole building down. The red rubbers you mention were part of that Dutch influence you mentioned. These were generally used for "guaged" brickwork. Where very fine and ornate brickwork would be included in the facade. Artificial columns could be moulded into the reveals around windows etc. This moulding would be performed by, literally, rubbing them down to the shapes required for the job at hand. It's for this reason that they were intentionally made much softer than your average brick. This made red rubbers a natural choice for flat arches where the taper of each brick could be carefully controlled. In fact, it was quite common to have flat arches supplied as "kits" where all the bricks were rubbed to shape off site, then delivered, with all the bricks neatly numbered, ready for a bricklayer to simply put them in place.
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I found that absolutely fascinating Roger. Thanks for all that historic information 👍👍👍
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As an Australian born of English parents, I'm always fascinated by stories around historical places in England. My parents came to OZ as children in the 1920's. From my English in laws, I learned a lot about London during the war as they had lived through it in their 20's. So much history is embedded in those bricks.
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I always thought those London brick buildings were so dirty and off-putting. Who knew that just a 20 minute video could turn that all around. Excellent video!
