The lure of Lithium hooks Essex property developer

An ambitious self-build project can provide the perfect opportunity to infuse a new home with creative flair, character and lasting appeal. Bringing together these attributes was front of mind for Luke Lawrence, an experienced builder and property developer, when imagining two adjacent family homes for a recent scheme in the affluent commuter town of Hornchurch in Essex. The prime location demanded something quite special and the finished project delivers with a development that marries an attractive, characterful aesthetic with a timeless, contemporary build, achieved with the help of Vandersanden’s multi-coloured Lithium facing bricks.

Situated on Harrow Road, one of the most desirable locations in the area, these two identical, five-bedroomed properties reflect the distinctive design ethos prevalent in the area. Luke collaborated with local architects, KMDS Designs, to create a contemporary, high-end scheme that also incorporated visual elements to reflect the period architectural styles in the locality. With the help of Taylor Maxwell, Vandersanden Lithium bricks were chosen as the right facing brick to satisfy the unique design criteria.

“We wanted an impactful facade for these two houses that also respected the context of other homes in the area,” explains Luke. “Once Taylor Maxwell introduced us to Vandersanden we knew we had found a brand rich in the high-quality craftsmanship and innovation that we were looking for. Lithium is a cool and contemporary grey brick with a multi-layered textured finish that’s just right for the character, the look and the value of the properties we have designed.”

An attractive, hand-formed facing brick, Lithium features a sanded-coated and grained structure in a muted base grey colour with accompanying shades of buff and black. On this development, the horizontal lines of the brickwork act as a softening frame to the large hallway atrium glazing and latticed windows which present at the front of the two properties.

Lithium has been used extensively to provide a cohesive appearance throughout the scheme. As well as the main houses, Lithium is used in the covered barbecue area and outdoor studio buildings that feature in the rear gardens and is also used as the material for the raised beds, garden walls and pillars at the front. A total of 35,000 bricks were supplied by Taylor Maxwell for the project.  

“We worked very closely with Taylor Maxwell’s sales team to ensure a smooth supply and delivery process that fitted our project timeline,” adds Luke. “When it came to laying, our bricklayer commented on what a pleasure the bricks were to use because of their inherent quality and reliable shape which helps to minimise laying time and waste. The finished result is everything that we and KMDS Designs could have hoped for.”

• Project: two adjacent family homes
• Location: Hornchurch, Essex
• Developer: Luke Lawrence
• Architect: KMDS Design
• Year of construction: 2021
• Brick used: Lithium coated