A design that still captures imagination and attention 148 years on

From its beginnings in 1877, the Fletton brick (or as it is known today, the London Brick) has been a significant part of the industrial growth and architectural design language of Britain.

A staple of the construction industry, it is a brick that is immediately identifiable as a London Brick, the timeless design and unique manufacturing process showcase the straightforward traditional and accessible character of the humble brick.  

The makings of the brick benefited from the carbonaceous content of lower Oxford clay, a sedimentary formation found in Oxford, Peterborough and Weymouth, this carbon and bituminous property meant the clay needed less heat to fire and therefore reduced manufacturing costs, becoming known synonymously as ‘the clay that burns’. This resource discovery and production advantage gave birth to the mass production of a brick that is thought to be used in over 5 million homes across Britain.

An unchanged cherished design

While many manufacturers may have seen the advantage of natural resources as an opportunity to create a commodity and create a brick that is simply a sum of its raw materials, London Brick stayed true to its beginnings. It continued with the now iconic design of its indented triangular frog that is pressed into the mould. This consistent design decision carried more than structural load, it carried credibility through generations of bricklayers, builders, architects, tradesmen and tradeswomen.

What also set it apart from brick manufacturers of its time was the production process.
The ‘press’ process was distinct using four movements and was revolutionary, becoming known as ‘Phorpres’.  This now displaced brand is still fondly remembered today and can be seen on the livery of collectors diecast model vehicles and train sets. Forterra still proudly maintains and preserves the classic delivery AEC flatbed lorry some of these collectors models are based on.

As the classic delivery vehicle fleet of Phopres and London Brick Company continued to grow, so did its production, sales and distribution, making the London Brick more visible through post-war Britain buildings and creating more connection with the people that lived and thrived inside them.

Over the years, the London Brick design has appeared in architectural designs, posters, prints and homewares.

From material to mantelpiece

With millions made over 148 years, supporting the growth in need for house building during the 20th century, the design has become part of popular culture. London Brick’s enduring and simple design drove demand for replication of its shape. It became celebrated through the generations; now even new homeowners celebrate the brick and its timeless functional aesthetic.

The perpetual design still evokes a sense of belonging, comfort, and heritage as more homeowners and creatives connect with it through daily life in the form of sought -after mugs, merchandise and memorabilia. Over the years, the London Brick design has appeared in architectural designs, posters, prints and homewares.

This expanding use of the brick’s design language in the form of lifestyle products shows just how much it has become ingrained in design culture. London Brick has, through generations and time-honoured workforce, become part of the construction and industrial cultural lexicon. 

A reliable foundation

Beyond its replication and immortalisation in memorabilia, models and homewares, it continues to appeal to architects and designers in modern projects and construction designs.

The benefit of the unchanged design means a choice that will stand the test of time for new projects, but also supports the repair, maintenance and improvement market.The style, textures and design are sympathetic to the buildings undergoing these works that it once played a part in building. 

As the legacy of the design and appeal of London Brick lives through the generations and it continues to be celebrated in different forms, it also stands up to the technical demands, strength, uniformity and reliability it has always delivered.

When thinking of your next design, project or planning process, it’s possible to continue to be part of an enduring design legacy in something as simple as brick selection. Nowadays, our 23 options make London Brick more accessible for modern building projects and the benefit of using a familiar product for builders and contractors means timelines and risks can be avoided.

148 years of shaping Britain’s landscape. Discover the heritage behind London Brick.

Explore the London Brick heritage