Situated on the outskirts of Cardiff, the Iorwerth Jones Housing Estate showcases a well-considered combination of modern living and cost-efficient architectural design. Developed by Cardiff City Council, the estate comprises 20 contemporary two, three and four-bedroom homes designed to meet the growing need for affordable, energy-efficient housing in the region. To ensure the new development complemented the character of the surrounding area, Vandersanden’s Anicius bricks were selected for their ability to offer a fresh design that integrated well with the rest of the community.

JG Hale Group, established in 1996 and widely recognised for its expertise in delivering modern, cost-effective housing developments, led the construction of the estate. Alongside Pentan Architects, the developer brought a strong commitment to sustainable design, helping to deliver a vision centred around environmental responsibility and long-term affordability. Completed in May 2024, the development embodies a ‘fabric first’ approach that prioritises high-performance building materials and design techniques that minimise heat loss and reduce energy consumption.

A core ambition of the project was to help alleviate fuel poverty by ensuring each property exceeded current building performance expectations. In line with this commitment, all homes were designed and constructed to meet the Cardiff Design Standard, Lifetime Homes guidance, and the Welsh Government’s Development Quality Requirements. The estate also achieved a Gold Standard under the Secured by Design initiative, highlighting its strong focus on safety and resilience. Every home secured an EPC A rating, supported primarily by the integration of air source heat pumps (ASHP) to provide efficient heating and hot water. Combined with superior insulation and high-quality external brickwork, the homes offer residents comfortable living environments with significantly reduced running costs.

“Brick selection is a key consideration in our housing schemes. We focus on achieving character through the use of a quality brick rather than adding decorative elements. A well-chosen brick provides long-term visual character with longevity and little maintenance,” explains Pentan Architects.

The external facade features Anicius brick provided by Vandersanden. The unique bricks are composed of materials excavated from Weichsel loam layers, formed from Aeolian deposits dating back to the Ice Age. Their distinctive stock-brick texture, combined with carefully selected sand colourings, creates a multi-toned appearance. For this project, the multi-colour finish was laid with white mortar, contributing to the estate’s clean, contemporary look whilst ensuring long-lasting performance.

“Vandersanden offers a broad range of high-quality stock type bricks that deliver the character we need while meeting budgets set by local authorities and housing associations. This approach is evident at the Iorwerth Jones social housing project for Cardiff Council, where the variation within the brick and the paired light mortar establishes a character that sits comfortably within its housing context,” comments Pentan Architects.

The choice of the Anicius brick played a central role in defining the estate’s identity as it is both visually appealing and sustainable, supporting the architectural vision and long-term comfort for the residents.

For more information about this project and on Vandersanden’s high-quality bricks, visit the Vandersanden website here.

Details on Pentan Architects can be found here..