Flexbrick

The more than 5-year long research project, which has resulted in the new Flexbrick constructive system, is based on an idea from the architect and Director of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya’s School of Architecture, PhD. Vicente Sarrablo, developed jointly by two benchmark companies in the Spanish construction industry: Piera Ecocerámica and Cerámica Malpesa. This new ceramic textile was devised following the concept of the textile architecture, and a flexible and adaptable material has been developed combining two long-life components: steel and ceramic. As it became an industrialized system, Flexbrick speeds up the construction process significantly. Furthermore, it is easy to personalize its design and structure, adjusting them to the characteristics and requirements of each project. Since Vicente Sarrablo presented the idea to both Piera and Malpesa, a join venture process raised in order to realize the huge potential of this new system, which could suppose a revolutionary change in the perception of architecture with ceramic materials. The ceramic textile was introduced in the market in 2009. Architects’ community has welcomed it because of the multiple configurations of the fabric; its large variety of applications and its aesthetical finishes. These arguments help to explain why these last years Flexbrick has developed projects for remarkable architectural studios such as Archikubik, Blur Arquitectura, Michèle & Miquel, Pich Architects, PMMT, TDB Arquitectura, among others, in different parts of the world. Ceramic textiles open a new chapter in construction focused on the industrialization with ceramic materials. The innovative push of the project is still alive since nowadays some new investigations are in process in order to keep improving the system and also introducing new advantages, such as the possibility to apply other materials in Flexbrick’s sheets like glazed tiles, wood, steel or glass.