Each brick is individually hand thrown into sanded moulds, creating subtle variations in tone and finish that lend the façade a rich, organic texture. It’s this artisanal process, combined with a colour that echoes the classic red hues stipulated by planning, that sets the development apart. The result is a building with soul - its façade warm, tactile and responsive to the changing London light.

This brickwork contrasts with the use of Ibstock’s Portland cast stone cills and, thanks to the building’s ample glazing, maxises the available natural light to the interior.

For Emrys Architects, the decision to work with Ibstock was as much about process as product. After an in-depth visit to the Swanage site, the architects collaborated closely with Ibstock’s in-house design specialists to fine-tune every aspect of the brickwork. The project required not only standard bricks but also a series of bespoke specials - including scalloped and fan-shaped bricks - crafted with exacting precision to achieve their bold architectural vision.

Beyond aesthetics, the bricks also provided technical flexibility, enabling the use of brick-faced GRC and brick slips that ensured the desired continuity across façades and detailing. The material palette - anchored by brick and Portland stone - helps to frame expansive glazing that floods the building’s 31,107 square feet of premium office space with natural light.

Spanning four upper floors, a ground floor, and a basement, 247 Wimbledon combines clean lines with classical proportions. Every detail - from the welcoming, multifunctional reception with café and lounge to the garden terraces cascading along the rear - has been designed with modern working life in mind. But it’s the tactile elegance of Ibstock’s Swanage brick that gives the building its grounding in place and history.

Bold yet refined, modern yet timeless, 247 Wimbledon is a showcase of how thoughtful material choices - like Ibstock’s handmade bricks - can elevate architecture beyond the functional, into the realm of the inspirational.