University of Birmingham, School of Engineering

The state-of-the-art build is a 12,000sq.m facility that spans five floors and features a double-height atrium. The development aims to not only bring together many of the institution’s engineering disciplines, but also provide opportunities for successful collaboration between academia and the industry.

All the engineering within the building itself is on show, with all structural elements visible. To fit in-line with the surrounding rail industry, the cladding has been designed to have the same visual impact as railway lines and track signalling with the half brick, half cladding exterior giving a solid and heavy visual impact.

IG Masonry Support worked closely with EH Smith Architectural Solutions, Associated Architects and Willmott Dixon to design, manufacture and supply masonry support and brick slip system solutions to this project.

Both standard and Dropper Welded Masonry Support systems were supplied to the project.

35 individual Brick Slip Lintels were supplied to suit a stretcher course bond pattern and varying opening and soffit return sizes for above each window head. Brick Slip Lintels are lightweight, stainless steel and prefabricated, delivered to site complete with brick slips bonded and mechanically-fixed to the stainless steel carrier unit.

Two mechanically-fixed B.O.S.S. (Brick on Soffit Systems) were designed and supplied for areas of the building which featured openings that were too large to accommodate a Brick Slip Lintel (designed for openings up to 3.6 metres). Each B.O.S.S. was designed as standard to bolt up to Welded Masonry Support systems.

Brick Slip Special Sills were utilised for areas of the build where slanted brickwork was prominent, primarily under windows and brickwork towards the lower levels of the building.

The light toned and highly textured brick used on the Brick Slip Systems and wider build were supplied by EH Smith Architectural Solutions.