Introducing the Slim New Ash, a modern multi-story home that blends sleek design elements with expansive windows. It features a combination of ash-grey bricks and white panels for a contemporary look. The balcony and patio are equipped with glass railings, complemented by white outdoor furniture, all set amidst lush greenery under a clear blue sky.
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Littlehampton Bricks Sustainable Efforts

Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers are crafted with a mixture of tradition, Innovation and sustainability.
Littlehampton Bricks & Pavers
Slim New Ash
A neatly stacked array of 18 beige rectangular bricks, arranged in two vertical columns. The bricks have a slightly textured surface and vary slightly in shade, creating a subtle pattern.

The Legacy of Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers

Nestled in the heart of Littlehampton, South Australia, the story of Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers is one of heritage, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable craftsmanship. Established in 1892, this family-owned business spans over a century, a testament to their unwavering dedication to producing top-quality bricks and pavers. What sets Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers apart is the exceptional products they create and the intricate blend of tradition, sustainable practices, and forward-thinking that shapes their journey.

A glimpse into the past of the brick industry

With a rich history spanning more than three generations, Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers has gracefully evolved from its origins in firebrick production and as a result has become a distinguished boutique brick manufacturer subsequently renowned for its premium clay bricks and pavers.

With over 130 years of history, this longevity echoes in the timeless quality of their products, offering architects, landscape architects, and building designers the foundation to create structures that stand the test of time.

As with Littlehampton Brick and Pavers, the brick industry has changed over time. Even the number of brickworks still manufacturing bricks has changed. “To give you an idea, there were 100 or so brickworks in Australia in 1980, now that’s been peeled back to maybe only 15”, says Renato Novi, Marketing and Operations Manager at Littlehampton. To stay alive in the industry requires an ability to continually innovate and stay abreast of processes, designs and sustainability measures from around the world, not just within Australia.

The artisanal process of brickmaking

Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers preserve the timeless craft of brickmaking through their traditional batch kiln production. Unlike large-scale manufacturing, this method gives them exceptional flexibility. “The beauty of a batch kiln is its adaptability,” says National Sales Manager Wayne Hunter. “We can create new products, continue making old ones, or design entirely new concepts.” This approach allows Littlehampton to innovate and produce unique products with bespoke textures, setting them apart in a competitive industry.

Corner of a modern, dark brick building against a clear blue sky. The bricks are textured, and there is a glimpse of greenery to the right. Sunlight creates subtle shadows, highlighting the structures geometric form.

Midnight Black Bricks

Sculpting excellence amongst brickmaking peers

The art of brickmaking at Littlehampton remains an intricate process, a blend of tradition and innovation. “Making a clay product is almost like baking an artisan loaf of bread,” explains Wayne. A state-of-the-art mixer blends selected clays and shales, forming clay logs that are cut into bricks and pavers. If the quality is not in the ingredients the outcome of the product is substandard. “We rely on making the best quality product that we can make. Our size and the quality of the local materials we have access to allow us to do this. And that might not always be the cheapest product in the market but it is the best” says Wayne.

Designing dreams with boutique bricks

Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers isn’t just a manufacturer of bricks and pavers; it’s a collaborator in architectural visions. Their bespoke textures, colours, and finishes have garnered a reputation that architects and designers embrace. “We’re known as a first choice for architects and designers due to the unique range of products and ability to customise colours, styles, and crafting special shapes for projects,” says Mark. This empowers architects to turn their concepts into tangible realities.

Sustainability: Creating a sustainable building product of the future

Central to Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers’ ethos is a steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility. As a 100% Australian family-owned company, making 100% Australian-made products, Littlehampton knows it has a responsibility to meet the expectations of sustainability that its buyers demand.

Recycled and refined oil to fuel kilns

The company uses recycled waste oil, refining discarded resources like cooking oil to fire their kilns. “We use only recycled oil to fire our kilns,” Wayne reveals. This approach not only reduces waste but also mitigates the need for fossil fuels..

Harnessing the Australian sun with solar panels to run their plant

Solar energy also finds its place in their sustainable journey. Since 2017 Littlehampton has been investing in renewable energy to run its brickworks plant. The company utilises solar energy to power its factory, contributing to a cleaner and greener production process. “Today we have over 300 solar panels on our roof to power our day-to-day manufacturing plant” asserts Wayne.

Little to no waste of products

Their commitment to sustainability goes beyond energy sources. “We don’t waste anything in the production of our bricks and pavers,” says Wayne. The production process crushes and recycles off-cuts into new products. Skilled workers hand-grade the bricks and pavers to ensure only the highest quality ones make the cut. They separate and sell seconds, providing clients with consistently sized, high-quality products while keeping waste to a minimum.

Longevity of the lifecycle of clay bricks and pavers

History shapes the lifecycle of Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers. Even after 2,000 years, people continue to uncover ancient clay products. Littlehampton designs hard-fired, quality clay bricks and pavers to endure the test of time. These bricks withstand centuries of wear and tear without losing their colour or texture, resulting in an incredibly low carbon footprint over their lifetime.

Locally sourced and locally made

Many architects and designers are looking for building products in Australia with a European look. Importing these products leave oversized carbon footprints to reach the Australian market. Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers are 100% produced in Australia, using only the best minerals and clays local to them.

Modern building facade featuring a large window, vertical wooden slats, and a combination of brick and dark paneling. Architectural designer products enhance the aesthetic as the sky reflects in the glass, with sunlight casting a bright spot on the exterior.
Littlehampton Blush Bricks

Forging Ahead

Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers stride confidently into the future, driven by their unwavering commitment to sustainability and design innovation. Their boutique nature gives them the agility to adapt and thrive. They work closely with architects and designers to create new products like the “Blush” brick, showcasing their ongoing evolution. With roots stretching back over a century, Littlehampton has always played a key role in crafting heritage bricks and special shapes. Heritage architects trust Littlehampton to replicate the unique profiles found in the external walls and fences of heritage homes and buildings across Australia. These specialised profiles empower architects, landscape architects, and designers to move forward with projects requiring these unique shapes.

A Lasting Impression with Natural Clay

Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers make a lasting impact on projects of all sizes with their craftsmanship and commitment to sustainability. Their bricks and pavers enhance landmarks like Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney and Disneyland in Shanghai, China. Their products stand out for their exceptional durability, impressive resistance to colour fading, and remarkable ability to complement diverse architectural styles, thereby making them a go-to choice for both small and large-scale projects.

Littlehampton drives innovation by introducing new designs, including their recently launched glazed brick range, which has gained popularity among builders and designers for its suitability in feature walls with structural integrity. They also developed the Milan range, a European-style long brick measuring 320mm by 50mm. Littlehampton meticulously researched and developed this range to ensure world-class quality. “We don’t just look at what’s happening in Australia; we focus on the best in the world and strive to create something even better,” says Renato.

 

A stack of eight gray concrete blocks is arranged against a plain dark background, resting on a wooden surface. The blocks have a rough texture and display visible speckles and variations in color.
A stack of eight gray concrete blocks is arranged against a plain dark background, resting on a wooden surface. The blocks have a rough texture and display visible speckles and variations in color.
A stack of eight concrete bricks arranged vertically on a wooden surface against a gray background. The bricks have a rough texture and grayish color.
A stack of eight concrete bricks arranged vertically on a wooden surface against a gray background. The bricks have a rough texture and grayish color.
A stack of eight gray concrete bricks is neatly arranged on a wooden surface against a plain, dark gray background. The bricks are uniform in size and texture.
A stack of eight gray concrete bricks is neatly arranged on a wooden surface against a plain, dark gray background. The bricks are uniform in size and texture.
A stack of eight dark grey concrete bricks is neatly arranged on a wooden surface against a plain grey background. The bricks are textured and slightly varying in shade.
A stack of eight dark grey concrete bricks is neatly arranged on a wooden surface against a plain grey background. The bricks are textured and slightly varying in shade.

Littlehampton is passionate about constantly evolving and innovating new ideas. “The trends in brick design are led by the architectural community, but we like to keep an eye on what’s happening worldwide and try to start new trends here in Australia, we have great resources and some of the best clays in the world so we will just keep coming up with new ideas” adds Renato. The “long brick look” has undeniably been a trend amongst architects and designers in Australia for several years now. Make no mistake, these bricks have been through rigorous research and design phases ensuring they are super straight and as lightweight as possible. Littlehampton wanted to craft a long brick, here in Australia for several reasons. These included:

  • Improve the affordability of building with Long Bricks. Using Australian-made bricks will always be a more affordable and sustainable solution than importing from Europe.
  • To reflect popular colours used in Australia. The 4 released Milan Long Bricks come in subtle, warm shades of grey, reminiscent of the colours of our Australian Gums. Luna Grey gives off bright tones similar to our Scribbly Gum Trees. The Naked Grey Long Brick shares the properties of the Grey Gum with its slight bands of blended darker grey. Blue Grey obviously shares its characteristics with the popular Blue Gum Eucalyptus with its blueish-grey-coloured tones. And the Shadow Grey Long Brick has darker tones and textures similar to the Flowering Red Gum.
  • To give Australian architects, designers and landscape architects the freedom to design projects that match what the rest of the world is achieving, in our own backyard.

New Ash Bricks – Littlehampton Bricks

Crafting Timeless Narratives with Bricks

In the labyrinth of architectural ingenuity, Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers have not only shaped grand designs but their bricks and pavers are the silent storytellers in the tapestry of construction. Their journey, rooted in history, fueled by sustainability, and adorned with innovation, continues to pave the way for structures that stand the test of time, bearing witness to a family legacy devoted to excellence and environmental consciousness.

MD Brick is the NSW distributor of Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers. If you would like to know more about these boutique bricks and pavers please contact us at 1300 884 363 or email us at [email protected]

You can download the Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers brochures here.