Steine House, Grade II listed building in Brighton and Hove, England.
Steine House is a Grade II listed residential building in Brighton and Hove, with its outer walls clad in mathematical tiles. These tiles are laid in a way that mimics the look of traditional brickwork from the outside, while concealing a different construction underneath.
The building dates from the 19th century, a period when Brighton grew from a small fishing town into a fashionable coastal resort. Its Grade II listing later recognized its value as an example of the local building traditions of that era.
Mathematical tiles are a hallmark of Brighton's older streets, and Steine House is one of the clearest examples you can see from the pavement. The technique gave the town a visual consistency that still shapes how its historic center looks today.
The building can be seen from the street, and the tiled facade is easy to observe from the pavement without entering any private area. Since it is a private home, the visit is limited to the exterior view from public ground.
Mathematical tiles were typically fixed onto a base of stone or flint, not onto brick, which makes the illusion complete when viewed from the street. The deception is convincing enough that many people walk past without realizing the wall is not solid brick at all.
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