Tesco

When Tesco build a new store they need everything to run smoothly on site with the fastest possible completion time - after all, every day the store is closed the company is missing out on £250,000 worth of potential takings!

Little wonder then, when it came to their branch in Uttoxeter, a modular version of Eurobrick was first choice.

To achieve the look of traditional brickwork and the fast site turnaround, TIS utilised factory finished Eurobrick panels in conjunction with the existing steel frame and a brick stall riser. The modular approach combined with the fast finish time of Eurobrick enabled work to be carried out at breakneck speed.

All wall panels and cappings and corners were factory finished and then delivered to site. With strategically placed slips being left off, all panels could be 'invisibly' bolted to the superstructure. This approach allowed a team of three to install over 200 square metres of brickwork per day.

Timberland

"Why use real brick when Eurobrick looks just as good, saves space and is much quicker to fit?"

Timberland used the Eurobrick brick cladding system to decorate their Bluewater store in traditional old brick style.

The American based company is a leading retailer of outdoor footwear and clothing and all their stores incorporate design styling which gives a historic/rustic, outdoors feel. There are 8 Timberland stores in the UK at present, and this was the first one to be fully decorated inside and out using Eurobrick. The Timberland concession in Harrods also has a Eurobrick 'heritage' wall which is used for display purposes.

Two types of Eurobrick were used in this project. A conventional looking red brick, called Red multi brick, was used on the interior and an antique looking brick - called Yorkshire brick, Flemish blend, was used on the exterior. This is in fact made from slices cut from genuine clay bricks.

The market leading Eurobrick system utilises kiln fired brick slips. These are adhered to a styrene or plasterboard backing panel and placed into channel guides which keep the lines straight. They are then finished with mortar in the conventional way. Insulated backing panels can also be used which provides the same or better thermal performance as a cavity wall with all the consequent savings implied on everything from foundations to lintels.

"Using Eurobrick is twice as fast as laying real brick, and is much less labour intensive. Timberland are thrilled with the result and would be happy to use Eurobrick again in future stores."

Carl Grenander, Projects Surveyor for Mica Projects

Edith Grove

“Eurobrick is indistinguishable from traditional brick”, Developer, Edith Grove, London

Whilst there is much talk about developing brown field sites for housing, the most viable prospect for builders working in the housing market is to redevelop existing old properties. It means there is an infrastructure already in place and the land is uncontaminated by industrial waste. By retaining the original façade the street scene is maintained and local conservationists are satisfied. In addition, a further benefit is gained by the fact that this work is zero rated for VAT.

One company in the forefront of such work is London Heritage Partnerships who have patented a timber frame construction system which adds further advantages by utilising energy saving construction methods.

Their architect Eddie Church has worked on a wide range of social housing but has recently completed a prestigious project in Chelsea on high value residential property. This project was also notable for its use of Eurobrick insulated brick slips. After a short training period Eurobrick was being installed at a rate of 10m2 per man/day.

"By using Eurobrick as a facing to our timber frame construction we gained two distinct advantages, Firstly, we were not subject to the rather volatile nature of the bricklaying trade and secondly, we gained valuable interior floor space. The Eurobrick system is very easy to install and can be undertaken by tilers or plasterers. Using timber frame construction the required U values are already obtained and with Eurobrick's further layer of insulation there is no need to leave a cavity. As brick slips are thinner than ordinary bricks you end up with a building skin which is 70% less than traditional methods, but which still achieves an NHER rating of 9-10. By following the original building line this method gains additional interior square footage." Eddie Church, Architect, London Heritage Partnerships

"We are always looking for new and improved methods of construction", says Ray Brennan. "This product has NHBC approvals and fulfills every need. It looks very good and I shall be using Eurobrick on further projects in London." Ray Brennan, Sandoran Ltd

Worple Road, London

44, Worple Road, Wimbledon is a development of six luxury houses, each a mere 12 feet wide. Priced at over a third of a million pounds each, Eddie Church recognised the importance of making the most out of the available space and knew the only answer was to use Eurobrick.

Adopting the light-weight insulated clay brick cladding system meant that cantilevers could be used, to provide added depth to the front of each house - a feature that would be impossible using traditional brick. Eurobrick panels were made on site and bolted into place.

The terraced parapets and chimney stacks were also covered in specially cut London Stock Slips to match exactly the colour and texture of the existing brickwork, and complement the existing houses in the road.

The project was completed in under ten months by a workforce of semi-skilled labour, who after a short training programme installed over 10m2, of Eurobrick per man each day.

"The future is leaning towards prefabricated products. Eurobrick is a shining example of how we can improve productivity and environmental standards in the building industry." Eddie Church, London Heritage Partnerships.