Eleven Brindleyplace, Birmingham

Client: Argent Group PLC
Architect: Glenn Howells Architects
Contractor: BAM Construction
Fabricator: Glamalco Ltd
Type of works: development and supply of Reynaers' CW60 and CW73 curtain-walling systems, CS68 doors and smoke vents.

Reynaers Aluminium has played a crucial role in Eleven Brindleyplace, a landmark new building in the centre of Birmingham.

Reynaers developed and supplied a bespoke curtain-walling system for the building, which represents the final piece of Argent Group’s renowned Brindleyplace development. Designed to accommodate the very tight footprint in the city centre, the new building comprises a curved 13-storey shoulder element and an elegant 15-storey tower element. Architects, Glenn Howells, also incorporated a glazed slot to break up the mass of the building, define the entrance and lift-core and separate the two main elements.

“The installation utilised both Reynaers CW60 and CW73 curtain walling systems, as well as CS68 doors and smoke vents but to all extents and purposes it involved the design and development of seven made to measure profiles along with three dedicated accessories for what was a completely bespoke system,” explained Mark Jones, Reynaers Technical Director.

“When we presented the system to Glenn Howells Architects, the developers and BAM Construction, they were delighted with the solution, which translated the original verticality of the building design to give them exactly what they were looking for.

“Additionally, the system facilitates re-glazing from the inside which will overcome the considerable and costly problems relating to external access and all the associated safety requirements to carry out the work.”

In developing the bespoke system Reynaers had to undertake all the required testing including live load deflection, pulsation, water ingress and drainage plus acoustic and thermal migration. Testing was carried out at Reynaers own facility in Duffel, Belgium on a 4,770 x 5,730mm unit and the test requirements, loadings and performance data fully met all the required standards. From the outset and throughout the project the company worked extremely closely with the fabricators, Glamalco, including initial trials of the internal glazing system.

The completed building, which comprises retail on the ground floor with 107,000 square feet of Grade A office space above, certainly creates a fitting gateway to the prestigious Brindleyplace development. The fully glazed façade is made up from bronze anodised-aluminium framing with stone panelling. Vertically arranged bronzed aluminium baguettes add greater expression to the building and reduce solar gain. Indeed, it is the first new office development in Birmingham city centre to be awarded a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.