Folio: The Elements of Design

A new series explores how architects use brick in innovative ways. Based on interviews with lead designers, the books present a variety of contemporary forms.

As a go-to material for buildings for thousands of years, brick has a sense of tradition. But it is also a popular choice for contemporary architects looking for strength, variety, and sustainability. Folio: The Elements of Design features the most exciting new brick buildings in the United States, Canada, and Australia. From brickwork emulating computer code in Rochester, to contemporary brick forms nodding to historic neighbors in Louisville, to rounded bricks creating a sculptural facade in New York, each project tells a unique story of how brick can be the foundation of the most creative design. 

The first volume of Folio was published in 2020. Folio 2 will be available soon!

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Story line: Designers employ a standard brick in a nonstandard way to break up a long facade on a new residence hall at U Penn.

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Story line: An architect’s first foray into brick uses a long, handmade form to achieve richness, depth, and elegance.

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Story line: Curved brick and reverent proportions recall details of residential neighbors to this Louisville cultural center.

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