Clay bricks have truly humble beginnings. The earliest bricks date back to 7 000 BC and were unearthed beneath the ancient city of Jericho.
These simple, hand-shaped mud bricks were sundried in the open air. Ancient builders, artists and potters discovered that the clay became stronger when fired, and terra-cotta (baked earth) was born.
Clay brick buildings also shaped our South African architectural heritage from the earliest settlements, featuring prominently in Cape Dutch architecture. The first clay bricks in South Africa were fired in 1656. Since then, this building material has become synonymous with craftsmanship, resilience and integrity.
Clay bricks have stood the test of time, resisting blistering heat, torrential rain, hail, frost and lightning storms. Terracotta remains a functional, durable and timelessly beautiful material.
International trends
‘Terracotta is experiencing a renaissance as a sustainable and versatile building material,’ says Stiles CEO Stevie Joubert. ‘Globally, we are seeing a massive resurgence in its popularity,’ he explains. ‘Terracotta speaks of craftsmanship, heritage and tactility,’ Stevie notes.
Not only is terracotta used to create expressive facades, following international trends, it is increasingly incorporated into designer interiors in innovative new ways.
A homegrown hero
‘We were stoked to discover a proudly South African company who have been making clay bricks in Stellenbosch for decades,’ says Stevie. ‘Klay is a third-generation family business,’ he continues, ‘built entirely on the enduring beauty of locally mined clay.’
The de la Hunt family began making clay bricks in Stellenbosch in 1970. For decades, they focused on supplying the local construction industry with durable building bricks.
However, recently the company took note of emerging design trends and conceived an innovative new line of architectural terracotta products called Klay Concepts. This range includes decorative screen blocks, floor tiles, pavers and wall cladding.
‘Klay’s genuine passion for the authenticity and beauty of clay is inspirational,’ says Stevie. ‘Their products tread the line between heritage material and contemporary classic. We are excited to bring this product line to our Stiles customers and see how clay can be reimagined in a contemporary South African context.’
Innovation and sustainability
Justin de la Hunt, General Manager of Klay, explains that quality and innovation are at the heart of the Klay ethos. ‘Clay bricks date back to Roman times and their thermal properties make them the gold standard for building efficiency.’
He also explains that clay’s natural aesthetic and versatility make it an ideal material to work with.
‘We conducted intensive research on traditional Spanish and Italian screen blocks. In making these international designs available in South Africa, we are giving a local take on an international trend. We are excited to see these products come to life in South African buildings,’ says Justin.
Several technological advances allowed the company to step into specialised architectural products. In 2019, Klay installed their first rotary kiln, allowing them to become more energy-efficient and recycle the waste heat from the brick cooling process.
Klay’s drive towards sustainable production methods led them to invest in a state-of-the-art solar plant which will supply a third of their electricity needs once installed.
Creative concepts
‘The Klay Concept range provides a wealth of opportunities for creative expression,’ says Julian. ‘We have already seen exciting artistic installations constructed from this range.’
Screen blocks are a beautiful and practical way to partition a space. They have undeniable natural warmth and are highly durable and maintenance-free. The screen blocks can enhance outdoor living spaces, braai areas, or provide wind, sun and privacy screens.
The Klay range at Stiles includes:
The rectangular series
The intricate series
Visit any of Stiles’ stores to see the Klay products in person, or visit the Stiles website here to find out more.
Also read:
Capturing coastal elegance: Timeless South African bathware, born of the ocean
Picture: Supplied
