Interview with a Bricklayer

POINTING No. 1: LAURA WILSON IN CONVERSATION WITH A BRICKLAYER

This conversation took place via e-mail between Laura Wilson and Steven Bunting, a Bricklayer based in Belfast.

The conversation will be performed with actor, Michael Pagnotta who will play the bricklayer, on Friday 30^th April as part of MicroPerformance evening at agency at the Agency curated by Rebecca Birch.

Can you tell me a bit about how you got into your profession?

When I was 16 I left school and I needed to serve my time and was offered a job working as a bricklayer. At the time there was a lot of building development going on so there was a large demand.

How long did it take you to learn bricklaying?

I served my time for 4 years, after which I knew everything about it. At this stage I was able to teach the 16 year olds and oversee jobs.

Do you work for a company, or for your self?

At the minute I’m a self-employed bricklayer. It gives me the flexibility to take on the jobs which I want to, and can demand more money for my skills.

Can you describe the process of bricklaying, from mixing up the mortar to laying the brick?

The mortar is made in a cement mixer - 4 part sand to 1 part cement. I also would add plasticizer. Then from here it is a case of adding water and watching the mix until it gets to the right texture. Then it is a case of planning and laying the bricks.

What bricks do you prefer to work with? And do you have a favourite type of bond?

Belfast bricks - especially when they are reclaimed because it is satisfying to recycle something, which has been in place for so many years. They are a lot more interesting than new bricks which all look the same.

On average how many bricks can you lay in a normal working day?

Approximately 500, taking into account laying around the shapes and different structures in a building. Although if I am laying one big flat wall I could lay up to 1,000 in one day.

Do you have a favourite building or structure?

The Tate modern is a fascinating building and the brickwork there is top class and its regeneration into an art gallery has been tasteful and very clever - it works brilliantly.

What is the most exciting project you have worked on?

It was a private house built in County Down - there was so many features built in to the outside of the house and for everyone involved the project was both unusual and demanding. Although this was not one of the biggest projects I have worked on, it was certainly one of my most memorable as I was overseeing the whole bricklaying operation.

With a lot of modern architecture and new buildings today, architects are employing other materials, such as glass; what do you think the future is for bricklaying as we know it?

Bricklaying will always be a required skill. I would imagine the more innovative materials and designs are, the more the bricklayer’s skill will be tested.

There are architects in Switzerland who have invented a machine for bricklaying, how do you feel about this?

I don't see how this could work practically. It is a manual skill, and I don't see how any machine could replace the human - perhaps it could work with a straight wall but once you have to deal with any kind of variation, only the human can realistically cope.

If you weren't a bricklayer what would you like to do?

I almost took up an apprentice as a plumber, however there was more demand for bricklaying at the time, which is why I opted for this.

A lot of buildings are facing demolition in London with preparations for the 2012 Olympics, in particular buildings, which are on the path of the cross-rail to Stratford, What are your views on demolition verses conservation with regard to architecture and regeneration?

Some of the old buildings are beyond rescue, and I think demolition and regeneration is cleaning up the area and is necessary for the future. As I said before, I like to see old bricks recycled so I think new buildings in the area should be constructed using these where possible to retain some character and memory of the past. But a lot of these buildings are so run down that refurbishment is beyond the question.

How do you feel about prefabrication of brick walls, i.e. not working on site with the rest of the construction team?

This is sacrilegious! But a lot of building work is prefabricated and brought on site; I don't think this should apply to the bricklaying process however as this should be part of the organic development on site of any building.

What are your top tips for bricklaying?

Leave it to the professionals! And always plan ahead

27^th April 2010

Via e-mail