The Hibbitt Centre, Manchester Grammar School

Designed by OMI Architects and delivered by John Turner Construction Group with brickwork contractor Steve Desmond Casey (SDC), The Hibbitt Centre forms the next stage of Manchester Grammar School’s long-term development plan. Opened in February 2026, the development provides a dedicated Sixth Form Centre, Sports Pavilion and Refectory, creating modern teaching, study and social spaces while complementing the existing school campus.

The client required prefabricated solutions capable of delivering deep brick soffits, continuous soldier course detailing and splayed reveals, while coordinating around circular structural columns and complex façade geometries. IG Masonry Support was selected for its expertise in designing bespoke brick slip systems and integrated masonry support solutions that could simplify installation while achieving the intricate brick details required.

IG Masonry Support supplied 73.5m of Welded Masonry Support, 73.5m of B.O.S.S. A1 (Brick on Soffit Systems), 11.7m of A1 Brick Slip Lintels, and 741 bespoke brick cuts, completed at our in-house Brick Cutting Facility. By combining engineering, manufacturing and brick cutting in-house, IG Masonry Support delivered a fully coordinated façade package that met the project’s technical requirements while ensuring a high-quality architectural finish.

From the outset, John Turner Construction Group were looking for prefabricated brick slip solutions that would not only simplify installation but would also have the ability to achieve the intricate brick details designed by OMI Architects.

The circular structural columns on each elevation of the building were surrounded by a soldier course soffit detail, which formed part of a continuous soldier course running around the building. IG Masonry Support identified early on that achieving the this was a challenge that would require a high-level of collaboration with the design team and onsite team when installing.

Another challenge on the project involved the splayed and deep reveal details throughout the façade. The slanted geometry created variations in the brickwork depth, with different brick sizes required to achieve the intended detailing. These areas also needed to be carefully coordinated within the restricted space around the openings, while maintaining consistent brick coursing and the overall appearance of the façade.

A further challenge involved coordinating the masonry support with the building’s steel frame. Variations in soffit depths and steel positions required careful planning to ensure the support systems aligned correctly and could be installed without compromising the façade design.

To accommodate the splayed reveals and variations in brick depth, IG Masonry Support developed bespoke detailing to suit the individual conditions. Several brick specials were required, with the project team confirming the required sizes and appearance before manufacture. Where the slanted brickwork did not provide the full depth required for the standard arrangement, alternative hanging methods were used to support the soffit.

The deeper reveals also required careful coordination with the surrounding window and cavity detailing. An A-bracket was supplied to facilitate the flashing and cavity closure, allowing the rear of the brickwork to coordinate with the surrounding window frames while maintaining a clean finished appearance.

The design team worked closely with Steve Desmond Casey (SDC) and the wider project team throughout the design process, coordinating the masonry support with the structural steelwork and adjusting bracket layouts where required. This ensured the support systems could be installed efficiently while maintaining accurate façade alignment.

Working closely with OMI Architects, John Turner Construction Group and Steve Desmond Casey (SDC), IG Masonry Support delivered a coordinated façade package that combined bespoke engineering, prefabricated systems and precision brick cutting. The collaborative approach enabled the complex brick detailing to be achieved efficiently, resulting in a high-quality finish that reflects the architectural ambition of Manchester Grammar School’s newest landmark building.