Wychbury, Potts Point

Wychbury is an impressive block of flats in the Sydney suburb of Potts Point. It was designed by Emil Sodersen and completed in 1934.

The use of brick as a means of decoration on Wychbury is astounding. I really like the scalloped roofline and the subtle differences in scale between the two inner columns and windows the outer ones.

It must have been a bricklayers nightmare. Each time I look at the building I see another variation in the brickwork. Look as the chevron pattern below the second top row of windows and the vertical lines of recessed bricks on the outer edges of the building creating deep shadows under the Australian sunshine.

At street level, around the main entrance the brickwork, if anything, has increased with a series of steps below each of the windows and then further stepping to the recessed doorway.

Wychbury just shows what can be done with the humble brick and they didn't even use contrasting colours.