Page 16 - Landscape-Issue144

FEATURE

KLAYCONCEPT:

NEW CLAY PRODUCT RANGE

Brick manufacturer Claytile has introduced a new offering to the South African
building materials market. Rebranding as Klay, the company is on a mission to

transform the local architecture and interior design landscape through its two
distinct brands: KlayBrick and KlayConcept.

laytile has established a reputation
over the decades as one of
“CSouth Africa’s leading clay brick
manufacturers. We are now evolving under
the umbrella Klay — KlayBrick, which will
continue to manufacture the clay bricks on
which the business’ foundation was built,
and KlayConcept, which is focussed on more
design-led products that cater to modern
architectural and interior design needs,”
explains Justin de la Hunt, GM of Klay.
Based in the Cape Winelands, Klay
has a legacy spanning 54 years, built
on generations of experience in brick
manufacturing. This Proudly South African
producer showcases the versatility of clay
as a largely underrated material, with
the new KlayConcept products being
created through a more hand-crafted
manufacturing approach than that of
KlayBrick, which is a large, automated plant.
Once the products are extruded, they
are placed by hand in a single layer on the
dryer car or trolley. This ensures an even
drying process, which improves quality. It
is a quick-drying process that is possible
through the use of a tunnel system that
uses recovered heat from the push bat kiln.
After the drying process, the dried products
are again placed by hand on ceramic bats,
which allow air to circulate evenly around
the pieces during the firing process.
This hand-crafted process allows the
development of a wide range of products
at a consistent quality. It also means that
jobs are created and teams are upskilled in
traditional clay-firing techniques.

New era in special building and
design materials The new range of products from Klay offers a variety of creative choices and practical applications.
The building and construction sector is by
far the largest emitter of greenhouse gasses,
accounting for 37% of global emissions. As a “Our products are inspired by the principles homeowners. The company has an array of
manufacturer, Klay is committed to refining of biomimicry, drawing inspiration from screen block patterns that can be used in
and improving their production processes nature’s dynamic designs, such as the very different ways, allowing designers and
to minimise the environmental impact. honeycomb pattern of our wine racks. architects to innovate with these products.
“Inspiration from global design trends Products like our screen blocks can perform They aim to pave the way for a greener,
and our enthusiasm for clay led us to dual functions, both dividing and allowing more resilient future in the building and
develop a range of locally produced ventilation in spaces.” architecture industry.
clay products to meet the needs of the Klay offers a variety of creative choices
construction and architectural industries,” and practical applications for clients, Information and photos supplied by The Friday
says Aidan de la Hunt, who leads design be they architects, large construction Street Club
and creative innovation at KlayConcept. companies, interior designers or individual lerato@thefridaystreetclub.co.za n

14 Landscape SA • Issue 144 2024 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za