Heritage Brick Colour Matching: Lessons from North Sydney Olympic Pool
The project
During the restoration of North Sydney Olympic Pool, some of the original brickwork structures had to be taken down. In doing so, the original bricks were damaged and the structures had to be rebuilt. The existing bricks were no longer available, so there was no off-the-shelf match for the original Art Deco face brickwork.
That’s where ECOTONE stepped in. Using our brick colouring service, and in coordination with the builder, engineers and heritage consultants, ECOTONE custom blended the new brickwork to match the existing heritage brickwork, preserving the pool’s iconic character while meeting today’s building standards. ECOTONE worked alongside Urbis, Icon Construction and Brewster Hjorth Architects on the project.
"The result? A seamless restoration that honours the past while supporting the future." - Tony Watling, ECOTONE AUS & NZ
Why heritage brick is so hard to match
Heritage brickwork has had decades in service, and the bricks needed for replacement or additions are often no longer produced. No new brick off the shelf will match it. On a landmark, a visible patch isn't just an eyesore; it changes how people experience the building.
That's where brick colour matching comes in. Instead of hunting for an impossible match, the colour is brought to the brick.
Five lessons from heritage work that apply to any building
1. Match the wall as it is today, not as it was when it was built. Weathering is part of the colour.
2. Reproduce the variation A perfectly uniform match looks just as wrong as a mismatch.
3. Don't forget the mortar Joints can give a repair away even when the bricks are right.
4. Respect the material Stain bonds with the brick and keeps it breathable, which matters on older masonry. Paint can trap moisture.
5. Work as one team Heritage consultants, architects, builders and the coating specialist need to agree the target early.
Colour matching across Australia and New Zealand
FAQs
- Yes. The match is developed against the brickwork as it looks today, including its weathering and natural variation. For the best result, choose a new brick as close as possible in size and texture to the original, and match the mortar's width and colour so the joints blend in too.
Request a colour match
Whether it's a landmark or a single wall, start a project and talk to our team about brick colour matching.
Not just a pretty surface. Surfaces. Reimagined. ECOTONE. Colour for Life.
