Modular Brick Walls: Design Options and Applications in Commercial Construction

What defines a modular brick wall?

A modular brick wall uses brick components that are dimensionally standardised and factory-controlled, allowing the wall system to be assembled predictably at scale. In modern commercial construction, "modular brick" most often refers to systems where real brick slips are mounted to a carrier rail or panel, rather than individually laid bricks in mortar, delivering the visual character of full masonry with significant weight and programme advantages.

Nexbrick™ is Australia's leading modular brick wall system for commercial facades: 25mm real brick slips on a dual-engagement steel rail at 55kg/m² total system weight.

Design options in a modular brick wall system

The design flexibility of Nexbrick™ is broader than most specifiers expect:

• Any brick, any supplier: The system accepts bricks from any Australian manufacturer in any size. Texture, colour, and character are entirely the architect's choice.
• Any orientation: Bricks can be specified in stretcher, header, soldier, or rowlock orientation. Mixing orientations within a facade is possible for pattern and relief effects.
• Flat walls, curves, soffits, and complex angles: The rail system handles all geometric configurations. Curved walls use formed rails; soffits use the same rail in inverted orientation; complex angles use purpose-built corner profiles.
• Custom patterns: Bond patterns, decorative insets, and projecting or recessed brick courses are all achievable.

Modular brick walls in practice: project scale

Modular brick wall systems are most commonly specified on commercial projects above 500m² where the scale justifies prefabrication and programme benefits are significant. However, the system is also used on smaller institutional and residential projects where design complexity (curved forms, soffits, custom patterns) would be difficult in traditional masonry.

Iglu Tower Melbourne (3,300m²) and Sunshine Hospital Mental Health Centre (3,150m²) represent the large commercial end. The Round Whitehorse Performing Arts Studio (1,600m²) demonstrates the system's capability on complex institutional buildings with curved forms.

Specifying modular brick: what to include

A complete modular brick wall specification should cover:

• System type and manufacturer (mechanically fixed rail vs. adhesive)
• Brick facing dimensions, supplier, and finish
• Orientation and bond pattern
• Substrate type and fixing requirements
• NCC 2025 compliance pathway documentation
• Waterproofing and drainage system integration

Starting the specification process

The Nexbrick™ information pack includes full system specifications, installation guides, and compliance documentation. Download it from the Nexbrick™ product page, or review the NCC 2025 compliance documentation. Contact our team to discuss your project brief.