Building with Clay: 15,000 Klay Screen Blocks at Bendehuis
In South Africa’ s architectural landscape, certain materials carry a quiet authority. Clay is one of them. It is tactile and deeply rooted in tradition. When shaped into architectural screen blocks, it becomes something more than just masonry.
For decades, Klay has nurtured this potential, combining craft, performance, and collaborating with designers to redefine what clay can do. Their work at Bendehuis with Atterbury Property brings this vision to life, where historic building techniques meet contemporary commercial design, creating spaces that are both functional and expressive.
The Enduring Appeal of the Screen Block Screen blocks, often referred to as breeze blocks, emerged prominently in the mid twentieth century as architects across warm climates sought alternatives to sealed façades and electrical cooling. In regions such as Brazil and the Caribbean, perforated masonry became synonymous with modernist experimentation. Patterned walls filtered bright light, encouraged cross ventilation and created spaces that blurred their interior and exterior boundaries.
In South Africa, where the harsh sun and our outdoor culture shape building design, the screen block found fertile ground. It offered a pragmatic response to climate while contributing visual rhythm to façades. Screen blocks reduce reliance on artificial cooling, tempers glare and introduces dynamic shadow play that changes throughout the day. In clay form, it also carries a material authenticity that aligns with long term durability.
22 Advertorial