Architect Ir. Michel Arts: “The best thing about our architecture? That we don’t have a signature style”
At Margry Arts Architecten in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands, there is absolutely no single, distinctive, fixed style. From rural long-fronted farmhouses to sleek, modern villas in glass and concrete: it is precisely this versatility that requires a wide range of facing bricks, each of which blends naturally into the overall design.
Michel Arts and Wouter Margry joined forces in 1999 and founded the firm Margry Arts Architects. We spoke with Michel Arts – the current managing director – about his vision of architecture and the added value of Joseph Bricks within their designs.
Freedom of form, precision in execution
With a solid 45 years of construction experience and a background in both architecture and execution, Michel Arts, together with his fellow architects, takes a different approach to building than many traditional design firms.
“I come from a family of builders. My grandfather started his own construction company, and my father took it over as the next generation. It’s a wonderful world, but I eventually ended up in architecture myself. Nevertheless, from the age of 12 to 27, I remained closely involved in the technical side of construction. During my architecture studies, for example, I regularly helped out at my father’s firm.”
“That means I’ve been able to look at construction projects from a very practical perspective since I was young. It may look good, but it also has to be technically feasible. I believe it’s our responsibility to choose products that the builders can work with perfectly. That’s why we don’t stop at the design stage. We work out our projects technically down to the finest details and remain closely involved right up to handover. That’s what we prefer to do.”
Focus on villa construction
That feasibility also plays a major role in the choice of materials. Certainly when it comes to facing bricks in longer and thinner dimensions, where aesthetics and technical feasibility once again go hand in hand. In that search, Joseph Bricks emerged for the firm as a strong alternative within the higher-priced construction segment.
“When you look at this type of facing brick, you quickly end up with a select group of names. What convinced us to choose Joseph Bricks was the combination of a high-end look, a beautiful colour palette and affordability. I could spin a whole story around it, but at the end of the day, they’re just really beautiful bricks (laughs).”
“Especially in villa construction, you can really make a difference with these facing bricks. You can genuinely guide the client in their choices and thus elevate the selected materials to their highest possible standard. Regardless of the building’s architectural style, and that’s precisely what characterises us as a practice. We don’t have a house style; we genuinely enjoy designing everything. Modern homes, but just as much the typical 1920s homes in the Netherlands, which are still very much in demand.”
Inspiration as a basis of trust
In the near future, there are again a number of projects on the agenda at Margry Arts Architects, in which our facing bricks will be able to shine to the full. Why do they continue to choose Joseph Bricks?
“Back then, we worked a few times with facing bricks from another manufacturer. At a certain point, however, we started looking for different alternatives.”
“Through online research, we quickly came across Joseph Bricks. Your inviting sample boxes and configurator did the rest. You provided refreshing inspiration, with interesting colours and textures, and so you became increasingly prominent on our radar. After a number of very rewarding initial collaborations, the rest is history.”
Would you also like to be inspired by our Bricks?
Refined façade finishes come in many forms. At Joseph Bricks, we have a vast range of high-quality façade finishes in various sizes ready for you. From (eco-)smoked facing bricks to brick slips and custom-made facing bricks.
Be sure to take a look at our various references to see our products in all their glory. Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.