When it comes to building "brick is back"

It has been claimed that brick is as popular as ever when it comes to housing developments and self build.

A selection of London's top architects recently attended Wienerberger's 'Brick is Back' lecture at the Royal Institute of British Architects that focussed on the future of building materials.

The lecture comes after Herzog and de Meuron's assertion that brick is "the new cool" after they decided to alter their material for the planned extension of the Tate Modern from glass to brick.

After the lecture, Mark Morris, Wienerberger's sales and marketing director, said that some people consider brick to be passe but he feels that it "embodies the true meaning of sustainability".

Mr Morriss added that it was interesting to hear people question whether rival materials such as glass and steel yet would still looks as aesthetically pleasing as brick in hundreds of years' time.

He added the lecture confirmed what has been known for a long time, that "brick is back and it is here to stay."