Acclaimed graphic designer William Hall presents his new book Brick – a fresh, insightful and surprising look at one of the world’s most familiar and popular building materials.

From the strange remains of the Ziggurat of Ur dating from 2100 BC, to the formidable mills of the industrial revolution, the humble brick has been an architectural staple for centuries.

The world’s best architects have explored the qualities of brickwork. Alvar Aalto, Antoni Gaudí, Jørn Utzon, Frank Gehry, and Mies van der Rohe all built with the material, and bricks were integral to Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision for an American vernacular in his Prairie Houses.

Lesser-known newcomers have created some equally striking and memorable structures, from the stunning Winery Gantenbein – built by robotic arm – to the audacious Kantana Institute, an unprecedented vision in a Thai rainforest.