Award winning brixel brick system
Winner of Brick Awards Innovation and Facade Awards Innovation
Ketley Brick Launches Brixel 4K, a new era in brick design
Ketley Brick’s innovative Brixel 4K system is transforming the way architects and designers use brick to create intricate, bespoke façades. This next-generation system introduces six unique 65mm brick types, five textured and one plain, enabling the creation of complex patterns, commemorative designs, and even detailed images within brickwork.
As projecting brickwork continues to grow in popularity, architects are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Brixel 4K delivers four times the resolution of Ketley’s original Brixel system, unlocking a new level of precision and creativity.
The process is simple yet powerful:
- Any 2D image can be translated into a “brixelled” design using a combination of the six brick types.
- A dedicated Brixel Tool maps the image and converts it into units of the six brick variants.
- A 3D model is generated, allowing designers to preview the image from multiple angles before production.
Once approved, the bricks are manufactured and supplied with a detailed installation map, ensuring accurate placement. The interplay of light and shadow across the textured surfaces creates an illusion of depth, delivering stunning visual impact, without the need for sculptors or artists on-site.
With Brixel 4K, Ketley Brick is redefining the possibilities of brickwork, offering architects a bold new medium for creative expression.
Case Studies
Birmingham Bull
This brick design in EH Smith's new Design Centre at Digbeth uses the latest Brixel 4K system from Ketley brick to capture the iconic Birmingham Bull. Over 1000 brixel 4k bricks come together using the dynamic play of light and shadows to form the design. The Bull sits above a Staffordshire blue brick "stage" providing a dramatic and context rich backdrop for events in this inspiring new space.
A tribute in brick
This textured brick design uses the original award winning brixel system, 6 different bespoke brick elements which play with the light and the shadows to create a brick facade of our late queen which subtly changes throughout the day. All the bricks are the same Staffordshire red colour, it is simply the way the different bricks catch the light that reveals the image. The project, on display at the Brickworks Museum in Southampton, demonstates how much detail you can achieve when designing in brick. Full details
Environmental
Place of Manufacture: Brierley Hill, UK
Environmental Management: 14001 Download Certificate
Quality Management : 9001 Download Certificate
Download the Ketley Quality and Environmental Policy
Life Cycle: BRE Global Certification in accordance with EN 15804:2012 Download Certificate
Energy: Cured in gas fired kilns to 1130o C
Raw materials: Etruria Marl Clay from our local quarry in Brierley Hill, sand
Lifespan: Ketley's bricks are the toughest and most durable bricks you can buy.
Recyclability: Can be crushed and used as aggregate and/or as an inert bulk fill
Packaging: We keep packaging to a minimum using wooden pallets and we do not shrink wrap our brick packs.
Find out more about Ketley's approach to sustainability
Click for the Brick Development Association infographic on Sustainability of Brick
See below the latest video about Sustainability of Brick from the Brick Development Association
Technical Specification
Ketley Brick Specification Sheet
Standard: BS EN 771-1: 2011
Ketley Bricks are produced at our works located in the heart of the Black Country. They have been made from our own Etruria Marl since Victorian times and are recognised as a Class A engineering brick of high quality with a strong aesthetic appeal.
Download Specification sheet as pdf.
Download Specification clause as a word doc
Download water absorption and compressive strength test report for solidsDownload water absorption and compressive strength report for perforated bricks
Ketley is the only brick manufacturer to have had their bricks independently tested for freeze thaw performance within a textured facade, with bricks within the test panel projecting up to 50mm. The test was based on prEN772-22 and no damage was found on any of the bricks tested.
Download textured brickwork freeze thaw test report
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Compressive strength: |
≥ 125N/mm² |
≥125N/mm² |
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Category: |
II |
II |
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Masonry Unit Group: |
HD |
HD |
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Engineering Grade: |
A |
A |
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Water absorption: |
≤4.5% |
≤4.5% |
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Initial Rate of Water absorption: |
≤1.5Kg/m²/min |
≤1.5Kg/m²/min |
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Thermal Conductivity: |
On Application |
On Application |
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Bond Strength: |
0.15N/mm² (For general purpose and lightweight mortar) |
0.15N/mm² (For general purpose and lightweight mortar) |
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Net Dry Density: |
2200 Kg/m³(Typically) |
2200 Kg/m³(Typically) |
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Density Tolerance: |
D1 |
D1 |
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Soluble salt content: |
S2 |
S2 |
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Durability: |
F2 |
F2 |
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Fire Reaction: |
A1 |
A1 |
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Dimensional Tolerance Mean: |
T2 |
T2 |
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Dimensional Tolerance Range: |
R1 |
R1 |
Special Shaped Bricks
Special Shaped Bricks
Because Special Shaped bricks are generally used in situations of severe exposure such as copings and cills, powerful resistance to water penetration and high durability has always been essential.
Ketley Bricks are generally solid and have stood the ultimate test, the test of time. In the early part of the 20th Century their blue colour was regarded as the stamp of durability, nowadays their performance under crushing tests, water absorption and abrasion tests is evidence of this.
The use of Ketley Specials to add a high quality finish to brickwork ensures extra durability and protection to vulnerable areas and will save time on-site by overcoming extensive hand cutting.
Download Special Shaped Brick Brochure
or browse our range of specials online
Consistent natural colours
Our unique plant produces traditional natural Staffordshire clay colours for both the Paver and Brick ranges in Blue, Brown Brindle and Red. Because our bricks, pavers and specials are fired together, our colours are consistent through the range.
Ketley Brick manufactures a wide range of special shaped bricks for a multitude of applications.
Ketley will also manufacture specials from drawings supplied, allowing you to explore imaginative design options and decorative detail, confident that Ketley will be able to acurately match requirements.
