In conversation with architect Egide Meertens: why Joseph Bricks?
A villa is more than a building: It is a story of vision, material, and collaboration. For the project in Bilzen, designed by Egide Meertens Plus Architects, the bricks from Joseph Bricks played a leading role. We spoke with architect Egide Meertens about his vision, the collaboration, and the impact of the chosen stones.
A vision of architecture
Together with his team, Egide Meertens runs a dynamic studio focused on total projects: homes where exterior and interior are seamlessly connected and designed as one. “We always start from the client and the context. Our designs are deliberately sober and simple, but with a strong experiential value. No unnecessary luxury, but quality and atmosphere,” Meertens explains.
The choice for Joseph Bricks
For the Vanlaer–Brands residence in Bilzen, Meertens searched for a brick that would strengthen the villa’s horizontal character. “We wanted a light-colored, nuanced brick in a slim format. This allowed us to further emphasize the clean lines and the horizontal effect. Joseph Bricks turned out to be the perfect match,” he says.
The final choice was a blend of Franklin and R Banks, combined with flush jointing. Brick slips were also extended into cantilevers and ceilings, creating a highly stylized and cohesive appearance.
Aesthetics and experience
What Meertens especially values is the expressive power of the slender brick: “The slim proportions and subtle vertical striations provide a unique detail. While brick is only one element of the whole, it has an enormous impact on the appearance and experience of the design. Even the interior was influenced by the choice of brick.”
Collaboration with Joseph Bricks
The cooperation was smooth and professional. “The samples we received were truly representative of the final delivery, which is not always a given with nuanced bricks. Our clients were enthusiastic from the beginning, but along the way it grew into a genuine conviction. The envisioned design became reality step by step,” says Meertens.
Looking ahead
Would he choose Joseph Bricks again? “Absolutely. Especially for high-end projects the bricks offer real added value, but they can also make a difference in smaller projects. I also see great potential to extend the bricks indoors, so they play a role in the interior as well.”
When asked to summarize Joseph Bricks in three words, Meertens doesn’t hesitate: Character, Quality, Tactile.
By tactile, he refers to the tangible dimension of the brick: the texture, the slenderness, and the nuance that you not only see, but can also touch and experience. This makes the bricks more than just a building material—they become an experience in themselves.