Master dissertation by Nele Callaert

The rise of engineering brick from the 1950’s onwards marked a turning point in Belgian construction history. Initially introduced to accelerate building processes and reduce costs, this innovation fundamentally altered the craft of bricklaying. Traditional masonry—once synonymous with intricate bonds, arches, and visible craftsmanship—gave way to techniques prioritizing speed and efficiency, such as thin-bed adhesive systems. While these methods simplified certain tasks, they also triggered a profound transformation: the mason evolved from a specialized artisan into a polyvalent overall construction worker, expected to combine manual skill with technical insight, spatial reasoning, and precision. This shift blurred boundaries between trades, increased cognitive demands, and redefined vocational identity. Yet paradoxically, as the profession became more complex, its societal image stagnated—still perceived as low-skilled, repetitive, and physically taxing.

The long-term consequences are striking. Despite its indispensable role in both new construction and renovation, bricklaying faces a structural shortage of skilled workers. This is not merely a labor-market issue but a symptom of systemic disconnect: urban planning ambitions—densification, energy transition, large-scale renovation—are rarely aligned with the realities of vocational education and training. Technical schools struggle with declining enrollment, high costs, and outdated curricula, while policy frameworks prioritize design and technology over manual expertise. The result is a widening gap between spatial objectives and practical feasibility.

Bridging this divide requires more than image campaigns or technological fixes. It calls for integrated strategies that recognize bricklayers as full-fledged spatial actors, not mere executors. Investing in future-proof learning pathways, validating experiential knowledge, and embedding vocational perspectives into planning processes are essential steps. Without this coordination, the city of tomorrow risks remaining a blueprint—because every urban vision ultimately rests on the skilled hands that build it.