Bevan Intermediate Care Unit

The two-storey IMU contains comfortable, engaging shared spaces on both levels within a bespoke care facility specifically designed to ensure patients are fully-prepared to resume life in the outside world.

To fulfil the architect’s vision of a stepped corbel brickwork design around the care unit’s large exterior windows, IG Masonry Support was requested to supply its innovative B.O.S.S. A1 (Brick on Soffit System) range, becoming one of the first times the system had been used on a complex bespoke corbelled application.

The complex nature of the corbelled soffit’s design provided a particular challenge for our technical team. The corbelled design needed to display an inverted pyramid effect, with brick piers stepping in at the sides and corner. The non-traditional aspect of the build was enhanced with plans to affix our bespoke corbelled unit to a steel frame, which we also supplied. To achieve this, we requested additional steelwork to enable the secure installation of the corbelled soffit.

As well as having intricate design aspirations to fulfil, our technical team faced a strict four-week deadline to produce the corbelled soffit. This included carrying out the brick cutting and supplying the welded shims to ensure the soffit’s readiness for installation upon delivery to site.

The complex rowlock-stacked, seven-step corbelled brick design around the IMU’s large exterior windows was completed within the tight timescale and with greater ease thanks to the unique design of our B.O.S.S A1 units. The units’ lighter composition – lifting eyes were fitted on corner units to reduce the load – enabled them to be affixed to the structural steelwork.

This outcome would not have been possible with traditionally-weighted Brick on Soffit Systems. In such cases, a column would have needed installing to protect the IMU’s standout glasswork. Our corbelled soffit solution negated the need for additional structural support, resulting in a system that blended seamlessly with the surrounding brickwork.

Specialist brickwork contractor, PLF Ltd, selected IG Masonry Support for the Bevan IMU project based on our companies’ previous high-profile collaborations. Therefore, when expert design and manufacturing processes were required to facilitate the IMU’s lateral brickwork design, we were once again delighted to answer the call.