The use of ‘low-carbon’ stone bricks is on the rise
But its time to think bigger with stone
Stone bricks are gaining traction as low‑carbon alternatives to fired clay bricks, or concrete blocks. Sound in theory, appealing in texture, colour, public opinion and planning officer’s perception.
But they remind me a bit of the early days of electric motors. Back then, engineers replaced steam engines with big central electric ones, still driving whole factory floors with belts and pulleys. Only later did they realise the true potential… small motors for individual machines, untethered and WAY more efficient.
Let’s look to projects that really stretch the potential of stone. Several stand out for taking the concept further:
Gilles Perraudin’s Chai Viticole de Vauvert (wine cellar) in southern France for example. Perraudin constructed the winery using very large blocks of stone that were extracted and placed with minimal processing. The remarkable simplicity and efficiency of the approach; stone serving simultaneously as structure, skin, mass, and lining, embodies his practice’s focus on economy and material honesty. https://lnkd.in/ekcVDRv7
You can also look to the Lyon FabLab, also designed by Perraudin, where 400 mm thick massive stone elements (Spanish limestones Albamiel and Marina Rosal) were used to create structural walls that needed no plaster and were assembled rapidly. Numbered, cut, and shipped directly from the quarry. https://lnkd.in/eA567-JY
Why go large?
– Less machining means less waste, and a more direct use of the raw material.
– Greater embodied carbon savings, thanks to minimal processing compared to fired bricks or concrete blocks, or cut-stone brick alternatives.
– Reduced handling of fewer, larger elements speeds up installation.
– Natural thermal mass and durability, plus potential for dry-lay or minimal-mortar construction.
Stone lintels and padstones could similarly deliver big carbon benefits if conceived as right-sized natural stones rather than ultra-processed industrial products.
So yes, stone bricks have their place. But if we’re serious about carbon reduction, efficiency, economy and craft, the larger format just makes more sense.
But its time to think bigger with stone
Stone bricks are gaining traction as low‑carbon alternatives to fired clay bricks, or concrete blocks. Sound in theory, appealing in texture, colour, public opinion and planning officer’s perception.
But they remind me a bit of the early days of electric motors. Back then, engineers replaced steam engines with big central electric ones, still driving whole factory floors with belts and pulleys. Only later did they realise the true potential… small motors for individual machines, untethered and WAY more efficient.
Let’s look to projects that really stretch the potential of stone. Several stand out for taking the concept further:
Gilles Perraudin’s Chai Viticole de Vauvert (wine cellar) in southern France for example. Perraudin constructed the winery using very large blocks of stone that were extracted and placed with minimal processing. The remarkable simplicity and efficiency of the approach; stone serving simultaneously as structure, skin, mass, and lining, embodies his practice’s focus on economy and material honesty.
https://lnkd.in/ekcVDRv7
You can also look to the Lyon FabLab, also designed by Perraudin, where 400 mm thick massive stone elements (Spanish limestones Albamiel and Marina Rosal) were used to create structural walls that needed no plaster and were assembled rapidly. Numbered, cut, and shipped directly from the quarry.
https://lnkd.in/eA567-JY
Why go large?
– Less machining means less waste, and a more direct use of the raw material.
– Greater embodied carbon savings, thanks to minimal processing compared to fired bricks or concrete blocks, or cut-stone brick alternatives.
– Reduced handling of fewer, larger elements speeds up installation.
– Natural thermal mass and durability, plus potential for dry-lay or minimal-mortar construction.
Stone lintels and padstones could similarly deliver big carbon benefits if conceived as right-sized natural stones rather than ultra-processed industrial products.
So yes, stone bricks have their place. But if we’re serious about carbon reduction, efficiency, economy and craft, the larger format just makes more sense.