BRICK
systems that improve product consistency and quality.
The CBA is driving the industry’ s sustainability initiatives, particularly around environmental protection, air quality, and inclusivity. Over the past seven years, the CBA’ s Energy-Efficient Clay Brick Programme has contributed to an approximate 20 % reduction in the brick industry’ s greenhouse gas emissions.
If our readers had to choose one area of the home to focus on for eco-friendly builds, what would you suggest, and why?
Property developers often choose materials and methods that reduce short-term construction costs, increase speed, and allow for repeatable house designs. It is up to the property owner to ensure that the right long-term decisions are made.
Owners should insist that developers and architects design and build for sustainability, so they don’ t need to retrofit elements like insulation after construction.
Conradie Park, a project by Concor in Cape Town, is known for its eye catching use of sustainable brick for the housing units and other buildings.
Ceramic bricks are among the earliest man-made building materials.
The bottom line
Mariana concludes by reminding us that brick has a longstanding reputation for preserving future investment value.“ Once laid, face brick withstands rain, hail, floods, and intense heat, remaining attractive without maintenance. This not only saves time and costs, but can translate into a reduction of about 6kg of CO 2 emissions for every square metre of exposed brick wall”, she adds. Mariana Lamont.
74 winter 2026 | www. tobuild. co. za