Bureau de Change has completed The Interlock, a mixed-use building in London with a facade made from matt blue bricks that "appear to twist like cogs".
The five-storey building was designed by Bureau de Change for developer HGG London to sit within a 19th century terrace in Fitzrovia.

It was designed to echo the proportions of the adjoining buildings, but challenge their traditional facades with dark bricks that swell around the floors and windows.
"We were interested in taking these very traditional proportions and in some way subverting it, like a puzzle box that seems familiar and reveals a hidden complexity that increases the more you interact with it," said co-founder Katerina Dionysopoulou.

The Interlock's facade comprises a total of 5,000 bespoke bricks in 44 sizes, which are made from Staffordshire Blue clay. Prior to construction, the facade was modelled extensively to ensure the desired arrangement could be attained structurally. A one-to-one template was then used on site to set out the location of each brick during construction.

"We were walking the line of what would be technically possible," added co-founder of Bureau de Change Billy Mavropoulos. "But through this process we found a point that was both buildable and produced the richness and movement we were trying to achieve."

The Interlock comprises three residential units, a ground floor cafe and subterranean gallery space for hosting exhibitions, workshops an...