A bee hole (in Dutch: bijenbekje, literally “bee’s beak”) is a small, triangular opening in brickwork that occurs where three bricks meet. The name refers to the shape, which resembles a bee’s mouth. Bee holes appear in certain bond patterns, particularly in decorative brickwork.
How they occur
A bee hole forms when a brick is set at an angle in the bond pattern, or when the bonding arrangement creates a small triangular gap:
- Diaper work — decorative patterns in the facade where bricks are set diagonally
- Decorative brickwork — deliberately created openings for ventilation or ornament
- Dog-tooth course — a frieze where bricks alternately project and recede
Application
- Cavity ventilation — small openings in the facade allow air to circulate behind the outer leaf
- Decoration — as part of an ornamental brickwork pattern in historic facades
- Weep holes — open perpends or bee holes in the bottom course let air into the cavity
Historical note
In historic buildings, bee holes were sometimes deliberately created to provide nesting opportunities for bees and other insects. This was particularly common on farmhouses and country houses.
Related terms
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