What did the architect have in mind?

They said to delete the inset feature. We are still working with our builder on the full depth brick for the side wings, so they haven’t had to comment on that yet.

If the architect designed it, they should know how to build it.

Is it a draftsman you are calling an "architect" or are they in fact licensed by your state?

It was designed by an architect and it could all be built with full bed brick. We had told them at the start we would use veneer, they put that it was veneer on the drawing but now we find out it can’t be done with veneer. So there was some miscommunication which has turned into a bigger issue

Part of the problem is the term "veneer". Veneer brick can be 3.5" +/- thick and require a foundation to support it and metal ties to attach it to a wood or masonry structural wall; or veneer brick can be 0.5" +/- thick and adhered to a structural wall like ceramic tile.

The brick in the images is most likely of the prior veneer, and you are building with the latter veneer.

Ask for a rendering showing all stucco.

Your contractor could build a sheathed box at the "wings" with steps not more than the thickness of each brick. Then apply the brick the same as the rest of the wall.

I agree with Mark. "veneer brick" is not a clear specification. If it was in writing please post it.

In today's residential specifications brick walls are either "brick veneer cavity walls" (a full wythe of brick supported by a foundation or relieving angle tied back to a masonry or wood framed structural walls) or "applied thin brick" (thin brick applied in thinset mortar to a masonry or wood framed structural wall.

Manufacturers and suppliers will sometimes misuse these terms leading to consumer confusion so it's best to let your designer/architect write the specifications. And a homeowenr should avoid directing a contractor in a conversation. Always put it in writing and ask for a written confirmation.

Thanks Mark. The architect and designer are under a single contract and worked together to pick the veneer brick. The brick they picked is 0.875” thick - so I assume the designer and architect were not communicating.

See attached pic

Pic

Brick veneer, is almost universally used as a shortcut description to a brick veneer cavity wall construction detail, with a poured brick ledge, and brick ties binding the single brick stack to the rainscreened sheathed wall behind. That is the detail that would work with your desired decorative accents.

The cheaper and less capable choice of material requires a redesign, minus most of the decorative details. At which point, yes, you might as well do stucco.