Case Study
University House
Business School
University of Birmingham
Overcoming logistical challenges and strict planning approval requirements without compromise.
The project consists of an extension to the existing business school at the University, which provides 94 single occupancy academic offices, student welfare facilities and social spaces. University House itself is Grade II listed, designed originally by Herbert T Buckland and constructed in 1908.
The project consists of an extension to the existing business school at the University, which provides 94 single occupancy academic offices, student welfare facilities and social spaces. University House itself is Grade II listed, designed originally by Herbert T Buckland and constructed in 1908.
The listing highlights the importance of the formation of the plan arrangement and its associated wings alongside the careful and intricate material details of the façade, influenced by the Queen Anne movement. Within the design reviews in the early stages of the project, Glancy Nicholls architects established the new building’s accommodation and access requirements. They reviewed the potential relationships and interfaces between the existing buildings and from this, they highlighted a number of areas which would benefit from some amendments as part of the overall works.
Upon discussion with the client, it was planned that the design would create a more efficient and integrated site and a building that holds more cohesively together. In light of this, material palette selection was paramount throughout the design, with brick selection being critical to the relationship between University House and the new extension building. Mechslip was chosen because it offered a mechanically fixed lightweight cladding system that suited the proposed method of construction, whilst also allowing the specific waterstruck brick type and English Garden Wall bond pattern dictated by the strict planning approval requirements to be easily achieved without compromise.
University House building was still operational during the construction phase, so logistics needed to be planned to accommodate a busy working environment. PCS Stone were responsible for the design, supply and installation of the façade elements which included intricate cast stone, glazing, louvre panels and brick cladding and numerous complex interfaces. In order to successfully manage the associated logistical challenges within a tight programme, PCS used offsite assembly and unitisation of the façade elements where possible to the time and risks associated with installation on site. Delivery schedules were also carefully planned to adhere with site requirements and to support continuous progress as various elements of the façade came together on site.
Continuing to inspire creative designs and upholding stringent safety standards, MechSlip is also even faster to install on site when pre-assembled in a factory setting and delivered to site in its final form, with the power to save cost and allowing for quick turnarounds while maintaining the quality and performance standards associated with its BBA Certification.
Ash and Lacy are industry leaders in the supply of cladding and cladding support systems and when we were advised they had a new brick slip system called ‘Mechslip' that could fulfil all the requirements, we had no hesitation in proposing them for this prestigious development
Mike Quinn | Managing Director, PCS Stone
Mike Quinn, Managing Director PCS Stone said: “PCS supply and install a range of high quality brick and stone cladding solutions. When our client asked us to provide a brick slip cladding system to complement our own natural stone facade system we were faced with limited industry options.
The architects design intent and planning requirements meant we needed to use traditional bricks incorporated onto the system. The system had to be third party accredited, warrantied but also perform in accordance with the CWCT requirements for systemised facades.
Ash and Lacy are industry leaders in the supply of cladding and cladding support systems and when we were advised they had a new brick slip system called ‘Mechslip’ that could fulfil all the requirements, we had no hesitation in proposing them for this prestigious development. Lead times, delivery, quality of product and the overall customer experience was excellent.
The BBA visited site during construction to review our installation to substantiate the system credentials and they appeared to be impressed with the simplicity and engineering involved to create the look of traditional brick facades using MMC techniques.”
Construction Gallery
Project Gallery
Versatility. Built in.
Why You Should Choose MechSlip
Projecting brickwork – projecting headers
Brick window reveals
Unusual bond patterns
Feature panels – special shape bricks
Vertical coursing – soldier course
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