dr. Hasso Hohmann, Graz A
FORM, FUNCTION AND CONSTRUCTION OF BRICK GRIDS
One of the characteristic architectural elements of the landscapes in most parts of Slovenia, Styria, Carinthiy and the Northeastern parts of Italy - mainly Friuli - are hay barns with brick grids. The region of brick grids concerns many of the provinces which belonged to inner-Austria in the last century.
Form follows function. If the function is changed the form usually also has to be changed. In the first half of the last century Ehrzherzog Johann of Austria initiated different insurance systems for building and also for farms. Very soon the insurance companies realized that wooden farm houses and wooden hay barns burn much more frequently than those made of stone brick.
For this reason a new bonus system of payment was created differentiating between the building materials soon.
One of the most important problems in a barn is the humidity of the hay. The holes in the walls are necessity: the air could diffuse through the perforated walls and remove humidity from the hay and the barn.
The orientation of barns is usually governed by the wind situation.
The names for the brick grids are different in different countries: in Slovenia for instance from 'lukje' and 'lukjasti zid' to 'ogneno okno' (D Mo{kon, I Curk and Durjava).
Many of the grids are very artistic and have to be seen as one aspect of folk art. Some are even real pieces of art.
All these grids are constructed of terra-cotta material. Mainly common wall bricks is used. Thus we also find roof bricks of different shape, ridge tiles and drain pipes.
It is possible to distinguish between two different types of brick grids. The first type is built together with the entire building, the second one is built into pre-fabricated wall openings and has no static function.
Brick grids allow natural light to get into the building. The terra-cotta material is very good to balance the climate.
The energy for the wind, the ventilation of the barn does not cost anything. In Slovenia the tradition of brick grids is still continous. Even in Austria some farmers still build new brick grids.