Klompie bricks

It's incredible how a small, narrow Dutch brick has made its mark on architecture and design in Cape Town, South Africa.

From the 17th century until the end of Dutch colonialism Klompie bricks were bought to the African colony as ship ballast. With local clay not suitable for brick making, clay products from the Netherlands were highly sort after. The brick is still produced today in South Africa by specialised makers.

{Images: 1-2 Angama Mara via Yatzer, 3,5 Visi, 4 Wynand Wilsenach Architect, 6 House and Leisure}