Published February 24, 2022
Replicating History
Featuring: The Belden Brick Company
By Jen Levisen
Editor
When you’re navigating multiple national, state, and local building and health codes and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program for one single project, you need partners who are equal parts out-of-the-box thinkers and sticklers for detail. Antunovich Associates found such a partner in The Belden Brick Company for their Belmont Village Senior Living project in Chicago's famed Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Belden’s special shapes department worked closely with Antunovich Associates to create a cost-saving solution for the project. Multiple building and health codes and LEED aside, the exterior of the new architecture was designed to resemble the historic Nellie A. Black building that previously resided on the site, but trying to match the original building’s Flemish bond created challenges.
Built in 1932 by architects Pickney and Johnson, the Nellie A. Black building used to house nurses and interns. It's recognizable for its red brick exterior and Renaissance revival architectural style.
The traditional way to construct this pattern of bricks would be to layer red stretchers and black headers alternately in each course. Illinois Brick Company partnered with The Belden Brick Company to develop a one-of-a-kind specialty brick that could effectively save time and labor costs and replicate the exterior of the treasured neighborhood landmark Belmont Village Senior Living Lincoln Park would replace.
The concept was a custom Norman size brick with a 3/8" false joint at 1/3 and two shades of color, Commodore Red Velour for the 7-5/8" modular stretcher and Black Diamond Clear for the 3-5/8" header, on one full brick.
The custom-designed, two-tone brick, which clads the Belmont Village Senior Living Lincoln Park exterior, was also incorporated as a design element through key interior spaces such as the gathering room.
Project Details
Size: 120,500 SF, 149 Units
Sustainability Certification: LEED Gold
Awards: 2019 Excellence in Masonry Award - Best of Brick and Best of Health Care/Scientific Research, 2019 Argentum Senior Living by Design Award
About The Belden Brick Company
The Belden Brick Company is the largest family-owned brick manufacturer in the United States. With a foundation over a century in the making, a new era of modernization begins as they continue to pioneer innovation in the art of brickmaking for architects, builders, and homeowners.
Expanding brick's creative versatility while maintaining the material's traditional strengths is something the company prides itself on. They manufacture over 20 different face brick and clay paver sizes, more than 500 colors, 13 different textures, and endless designs of special shapes. Learn more about Belden on Mortarr and at beldenbrick.com.
