DETERMINED to promote the iconic mudbrick industry, owners and local trades people formed the Nillumbik Mudbrick Association about four years ago. Today, the association, with 300 members, is the largest earth building association in Australia. The members includes designers, architects, builders, trades people, passionate home owners and supporters of mudbrick. One of the associations founders Michael Young, said there are many advantages of building well-designed mudbrick homes. Being naturally cool in summer and cosy in winter, mudbrick homes reduce air conditioning costs. This saves money and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
 

Today, mudbrick homes are low maintenance and can be built in any style from rustic through to contemporary. While promoting the advantages of mudbrick homes, the association also aims to protect the area's rich heritage. The first earth and wattle and daub buildings were built in the surrounding gold rush areas. While earth building in its modern form was revived in the 1930s and 1940s, it took building designer Alistair Knox to popularise and mudbrick buildings in the 1950s. He encouraged the next generation of mudbrick builders and designers who created the area's earth buildings.

For more information contact Nillumbik Mudbrick Association at www.mudbrick.org.au or phone 0417599677.