Strap-work

This design is a combination of soldiers and stretchers and needs a volunteer to build it

Image drawn by Anne

It reminds me of Strapwork, see below

Image from: Bailey & Hancock (1979) Brickwork Volume 3 page 26

Strapwork is often used on ceilings or furniture, but can be seen in timber or stone panels

Image from: Buildings in Buffalo

Such carvings can become very elaborate

Image from: Mexican Architecture

Decorative Panels

Over the past few weeks, some of you may have noticed me building walls at the back of the workshop

Photo taken 26th May '10

These are just prototypes, built to determine the best bonding arrangement to ensure the blockwork is securely tied into the brick pillars

Photo taken 15th June '10

Next year, they will be a permanent fixture, and so provide an opportunity for you to have a go at some decorative brickwork.

Photo taken 16th June '10

This drawing shows the Front Elevation of the panel. Bricks for the pillars are shaded in light grey and the blocks in dark grey. Bricks shown in white are the three courses of English Bond which form the base

The last course is unfinished because this row of stretchers will run across the top of your decorative work

Image drawn by Anne

The bonding detail is shown below in the Plans for each course. The top courses are shown first, while those at the base of the panel are shown last

Header Course of English Bond

Stretcher Course of English Bond

11th Course of Panel

10th Course of Panel

9th Course of Panel

8th Course of Panel

7th Course of Panel

6th Course of Panel

5th Course of Panel

4th Course of Panel

3rd Course of Panel

2nd Course of Panel

1st Course of Panel

Stretcher Course of English Bond for base of panel

This photo shows the bonding arrangment of the smaller panel

Photo taken 16th June '10

To complete the course, the brick pillar on the right needs finishing. To increase stability, only full-blocks are used in this design

Michael's Panel

This decorative bond is called Diagonal Herring-Bone
First the pillars were built up - to gauge, level and plumb

Photo taken 10th June '10

Then, the first few courses were laid. Notice the use of more than one line

Photo taken 10th June '10

Although the pillars should have been built-up to their full height,
it was nice to see what this decorative bond looked like

Photo taken 10th June '10

The following week, the rest of the supporting pillars were built

Photo taken 17th June '10

During the construction, we realised the importance of the blockwork at the back

Photo taken 17th June '10

Michael was joined by his mate, Jason and this task was completed on the second day

Photo taken 17th June '10

These Level 1 students only started college last year

Photo taken 17th June '10

The finished panel, being pointed. Well done, lads!

Image drawn by Anne

Elevation of Diagonal Herring-Bone, showing bonding of all bricks

James' Panel

This is called Inter-Lacing Bond

Photo taken 9th June