Breeze Blocks – the stylish answer to your wall woes

Building with Breeze Blocks never goes out of style.

From Moorish and Mediterranean Influences to the BBR (Breeze Block Revival)

As soon as humanity started building our own shelters, we began beautifying them. Decorative brickwork has been a defining feature of architecture for centuries, merging function with form to deliver structures that are both resilient and beautiful.

This understanding of making functional elements pretty is easy to identify in Moorish architecture, where the use of patterned brick, stucco, and stone allowed for intricate designs that expressed cultural identity and artistic excellence.

Take Note: In Moorish architecture in particular, which flourished in North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, brickwork was often paired with tile mosaics and calligraphy.

The Alhambra in Granada, Spain, is a prime example—its brick and stucco walls are delicately patterned, creating rhythms of light and shadow that transform with the sun’s movement. The use of geometric patterns, arches, and interlacing forms in these structures served both aesthetic and symbolic purposes.

Where does Moorish meet Mediterranean?

Moorish architecture heavily influenced Mediterranean architecture, particularly in Southern Spain, Italy, and Greece, where terracotta bricks, patterned screens, and natural cooling elements became staples of design.

Designing for your climate – a new brick is born.

This tradition of decorative brickwork later inspired 20th-century architects in hot climates to explore similar principles in modern materials—leading to the invention and widespread use of the so-called breeze block. Allowing airflow, but still providing exceptional wind barriers, breeze blocks are a great building material for indoor/outdoor transitional spaces. When the weather is warm, we tend to live through and our homes, not huddled up inside them.

The rise of breeze blocks: Function, beauty, and architectural significance.

Whether you call them breeze blocks, screen blocks or architectural concrete blocks, this building material gained popularity in the mid-20th century—especially during the 1950s and 1960s modernist movements in the United States, Australia, and tropical regions like Hawaii. These precast concrete blocks are notable for their geometric cutouts and repeating patterns, which allow air and light to pass through while maintaining a degree of privacy and shade—echoing the fantastical lattice-like mashrabiya of Moorish architecture.

As beautiful as this classic design element of a carved wooden lattice screen in place of an open glass window is, having delicate wooden elements don’t suit all climates and lifestyles. (Just imagine a toddler chucking a ball through your carved wooden lattice window…You can’t just get a new one from PG Glass…) Breeze blocks are a way of creating a stable but transparent, weather resistant, no maintenance “soft wall”.

Architects like Edward Durell Stone and Paul Rudolph brought breeze blocks into the spotlight with iconic designs.

Take note: Rudolph also explored brutalism in his architecture, and due to their concrete nature and geometric designs, the right pattern of Breeze block can add a hint of modernism and brutalism to your home.

If the idea of breeze blocks or decorative brick work appeals to you, look towards these Ten bold South African builds for inspiration.

Bringing breeze blocks home

In homes, breeze blocks allow you to blur the lines between interior and exterior, aiding in ventilation, cooling, and an airy ambiance, which is why they do well in warmer climates. There has been a resurgence in breeze block uses and they have became especially prominent in garden walls, boundary screens, façades, and as shading devices for carports and verandas.

These are the (old) new bricks on the block!

Breeze blocks enjoyed immense popularity in mid-century architecture but fell out of favour in the late 20th century as tastes shifted toward sleeker, more minimal aesthetics. However, in recent years they have made a significant comeback—particularly in tropical modernist and eco-conscious design circles. Their passive cooling ability, low cost, and vintage appeal have rendered them increasingly relevant in the era of sustainable architecture.

More than a wall, more than a window…Art in block form.

Their geometric design also ties into the broader resurgence of appreciation for textured, patterned surfaces in contemporary architecture. In this context, breeze blocks can indeed be considered a timeless element—when used thoughtfully and contextually. They embody a design ethos that balances function with ornamentation, aligning with both traditional principles and modern sensibilities.

Are breeze blocks the right thing for your home?

In South Africa we are blessed with a temperate climate and lots of sunlight and growing interest in sustainable living make breeze blocks an ideal choice for residential architecture. Used cleverly, they can enhance airflow, provide passive cooling, and add privacy while maintaining a connection with the outdoors.

Top Tip: They are also a great way to lighten dark spaces without having to use electrical lights, thus saving on electricity.

Some of the most effective places to use breeze blocks include:

• Boundary walls and garden fences: Creating a secure yet visually appealing screen that allows wind flow and diffused light.
• Carports and patios: Acting as a sun filter while maintaining an open, breezy atmosphere.
• Internal courtyards and atriums: Enhancing ventilation and creating decorative focal points.
• Stairwells and passageways: Offering light play and privacy between different sections of the home.
• Feature walls in living areas or transitional spaces: Adding mid-century flair or Mediterranean charm with minimal maintenance. Perfect to transition from your braai room to your outside patio or pool area…

Ultimately, breeze blocks—rooted in centuries-old architectural principles—offer homemakers a versatile, aesthetic, and functional building material that bridges heritage with functionality and modern living.