“Building 16” at the Brick Works housed several massive kilns built in the 1960s for firing and drying bricks. The kilns were fascinating artifacts, but their sheer size – 600 linear metres occupying three-quarters of the building – made the space impossible to use.

By dissecting the kilns to reveal their hidden spaces and internal workings, ERA was able to open up the building (providing space for a large-scale contemporary venue), and at the same time tell the story of this historic space.

Visitors can now access and explore the various interior spaces of the kilns, and learn about the different stages of firing brick (preheating, firing, and cooling). The rich industrial masonry of this site is thus brought to life by a simple but strategic process of deconstruction and interpretation.

To learn more, please see our project overview of the Evergreen Brick Works.