See our collection of nine breeze blocks that reinforce a pragmatic aestheticism in modern residential architecture.
The patterned concrete blocks we see in homes today originated from American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who led a movement from decoration to functionality in the early 20th century. These blocks surfaced in warm climates to simultaneously provide ventilation and protect from the harsh sun, favoured by mid-century modernist architecture for creating a softer boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces. We’ve curated nine examples of breeze blocks that all share the utilitarian, geometric qualities that make the block an enduring favourite.
Villa Dione by L-Architects | Photography by Mirto iIatropoulou
The Lotus Screen Wall breezeblock has a unique shell pattern within the concrete brick that creates shadow play when filtering natural light.
Designed by Nathalie du Pasquier, the Brac from Mutina is realised in extruded terracotta in a matt or glazed finish to play with negative space.
The Austral Masonry 15-937 Wedge breeze block has a simple angular geometry designed for ventilation between spaces and indoor and outdoor zones.
Designed by Patricia Urquiola, the Celosia was designed as a three-dimensional brick in an artisanal terracotta finish.
This Italian clay block is a re-imagining of the traditional 20th Century breeze block by Adam Goodrum. The Austral Masonry Kite Breeze has a halved square design that develops a light play experience that differs depending on the brick’s configuration.
Simplistic in its appearance but intricate in design, the Earp Bros Artisan Salmon breeze block is made from terracotta hand pressed by Spanish artisans.
The Earp Bros breeze block Ball White is a crisp white cement block in square form. The circular cut-out in the middle creates a large amount of negative space for light to shine through.
Designed by Tom Fereday, The Earp Bros Omni White is a modular cement breeze block in a matt cement finish that can be combined to create angled surfaces, depending on orientation.
The Hindu breeze block from Cubic Products has an intricate pattern that reflects the Hindu sign for luck and fortune, creating a visual effect when it interacts with light.
