Brick Watching

Edmund W. Jupp

Description

The aim of the Watching series is to draw attention to some of the very interesting items around us, things that perhaps we don't notice as much as we might. The first was Bridge Watching, and when this was put ''on the Net'' it produced, to the surprise of the author, such a pleasant flood of e-mail that another was written, called Water Watching. This, too, was kindly received. So it was tempting to continue with the theme.Brick-watching is an inexpensive pastime, which can turn an old brick wall into an exciting find, and bring to your attention the fascination that is hidden from those who look but don't see, or perhaps see but don't look. It is taken for granted that everyone knows that a brick is a lump of clay moulded into a rectangular block and then baked; but there is of course much more to it than that. Armed with a little knowledge, every brick structure is an item of interest, something to be noticed, perhaps to be jotted down in a record, or photographed, drawn, painted, remembered. The author hopes that this gentle approach will provide some insight into the esoteric world of bricks, and will increase the pleasure of finding and studying the many brick structures (including the multitude of fascinating ruins) not only locally but all over the world. It might even convert the reader from being indifferent to becoming enthusiastic.

Sujets

• Arts visuels
• Architecture
• Cultural Studies
• General
• General officer

Informations

• Publié par: Intellect Books
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 2003
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781841508337
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Brick Watching

Edmund W. Jupp

intellect

Brick Watching

Edmund W. Jupp

TM intellect Bristol, UK Portland OR, USA

First Published in Paperback in UK in 2002 by Intellect Books, PO Box 862, Bristol BS99 1DE, UK

First Published in USA in 2000 by Intellect Books, ISBS, 5804 N.E. Hassalo St, Portland, Oregon 972133644, USA

Copyright © 2000 Intellect Ltd

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission.

Consulting Editor: Production and Cover Design: Production Assistant

Masoud Yazdani Vishal Panjwani Peter Singh

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 1841508063

Printed and bound in Great Britain by Cromwell Press, Wiltshire

Contents Preface iv Some Basics Materials 9 Manufacture 22 Bricklaying Examples Glossary 53 Some Common Bonds Different kinds of pointing

Further Reading

iii

1

33 42

58 62 67

Preface

This Watching book is another in the "Watching" series. It is in the same mould as Bridgewatching,Waterwatching, and Tunnel- watching, It follows the same general treatment, aiming to help to convert "looking" at things into "seeing" them.

Like the others in the series it assumes no previous knowledge, and avoids as far as possible technicalities that are the proper province of the professional. Here and there we might even take a few liberties with some aspects of technical precision, in the interests of readability for those of a less mechanical turn of mind.

The aim of this treatment is not to turn you into an instant expert on bricks, perhaps not even a good amateur. The hope is that it may reveal to you something of what lies behind what you see, It may lead you to pursue the subject in your own way, just as far as you like, for your own enjoyment.

Brick-watching is an inexpensive pastime, which can turn an old brick wall into an exciting find, and bring to your attention the fascination that is hidden from those who look but don't see, or perhaps see but don't look.

It is taken for granted that everyone knows that a brick is a lump of clay moulded into a rectangular block and then baked; but there is of course much more to it than that.

For example, a casual glance at a brick wall will tell you that the bricks are a sort of red. A second look though, with a little more attention, will reveal many different hues.

The bricks themselves are not identical in colour, for one thing. You may then see some of the tints of the minute plant life - blues, greens, yellows, greys, black and white. Lichens may show themselves in their delicate greys and greens. Some flowers may have snatched a foothold here and there.

Those in the know will recognise the type of brick and the bond or arrangement of the courses, perhaps even making a good guess at the date of construction and the source of the bricks. You will see that the surfaces of some bricks vary from wall to wall, some smooth, some patterned..

There is plenty of brickwork around us, some of it very old, and modern applications have introduced some wonderful variety. Brickwork is to be found below ground level as well as on and above the surface. We can discover bricks in tunnels, sewers, and wells; and there are some loose ones scattered around here and there.

iv

Brick Watching

They are used to provide firm standing, too, in paving, and walkways. Some attractive patterns are to be seen in paved areas, for they can be decorative as well as practical.

Besides their use for enclosures, beautiful brickwork ornamentation is to be found in gardens, large ones and small plots as well. Many an amateur bricklayer has found an enthusiasm for building walls, pergolas, and other ornamental features to add interest to the plot. Some famous people have found relaxation with a trowel and a load of some bricks in some corners of their gardens.

Bricks have a splendid pedigree, going back some four thousand years, and can hold their own not only as a construction material but as an art form, too. They compete with timber, stone, concrete, steel, aluminium, and other building materials, and sometimes combine with them for special effect. They remind us of the history of a region, they show the changing fashions, and the availability of natural resources.

Some brick-watchers like to take painting materials or cameras and notebooks with them on their wanderings. Others just enjoy finding and identifying interesting examples of brickwork. To some extent the weather plays no part in the pastime, though the appearance of brick structures changes with variations in sunshine or rain.

Armed with a little knowledge, every brick structure is an item of interest, something to be noticed, perhaps to be jotted down in a record, or photographed, drawn, painted, remembered.

v

Brick Watching

There is so much variety in the walls, buildings, tunnels, bridges and so on made from bricks that the brick-watcher need never be at a loss. Even an isolated brick may be a cause for speculation, as to where it started, and how it came to be there, whether it is a standard or a special.

Again, a ruined wall or building may reveal nothing to a casual passer-by; but to a keen and instructed eye it may tell something about events that occurred a long time ago.

The walls of some old roofless barn or shed might be worth investigating. What kind of man placed the bricks in a building now forlorn? Why was it abandoned? If there are large cracks, what might have been the cause?

Did a wooden lintel over an opening rot away and lead to the collapse of the over- laying courses? Did iron ties corrode and hence allow bulging of the walls? Speculation alone may not provide the answers, but could point in the right direction.

Then there are all the new buildings. There is a wide choice of materials for structural undertakings. Was brick chosen for appearance, cost, or ready availability? What are the comparative costs of a wall in brick, and one in concrete, or timber?

The author hopes that this gentle approach will provide some insight into the esoteric world of bricks, and will increase the pleasure of finding and studying the many brick structures (including the multitude of fascinating ruins) not only locally but all over the world. It might even convert the reader from being indifferent to becoming enthusiastic.

E.W.J.

vi