Laser-Line Bullnose Fascia used on Bus Station

Laser-Line Bullnose Fascia used on Bus Station

Sector: Transport
Products: Secret Fix Cassette Eaves System,
Architect: SBS
Client: RMBC
Contractor: Galliford Try Transport

Bailey Cassette Eaves System has been used as part of the £15 million refurbishment of Birmingham Coach Station and National Express headquarters.

View video
A 6 minute film documenting an 8 month period of the new Birmingham Digbeth Coach Station build for National Express. Shot on a Canon 450D with wide angle lens and UV filter using a 2 minute interval timelapse trigger unit. edited by Mathew Beckett.



Birmingham Coach Station 'timelapse' from Mathew Beckett on Vimeo.

In 2002, plans became public for the demolition and reconstruction of the coach station.The original proposals from National Express were designed by MAKE Architects, and showed an open air parking area for the coaches and a sheltered waiting area with jagged roof. Because the freehold to the retail units had been sold on, only half of the Digbeth High Street frontage could actually be redeveloped by National Express.

The MAKE Architects design was approved in outline, but as a new director took over the company, plans were made for an alternative design. In 2007, a full planning application was submitted by National Express for a new design by SBS Architects which proposed a less radical redevelopment of the station. The frontage was to remain but be clad in copper panels, whilst the shed to the rear would be demolished. New full height glazing would be installed around the ground floor, topped with a white canopy with the underside lighting. The interior would also be refurbished.

This application was approved and the coach station closed soon after. A temporary coach station was opened on the opposite side of Digbeth High Street in a temporary structure, allowing passengers to travel to and from the same location by coach. Work was initially carried out by Ashford Construction, however, they fell into administration part way through work and this led to construction grinding to a halt. A new firm took over a few weeks later.

The new coach station was opened in late 2009 by Fabio Capello, the ex -England national football team’s coach. The temporary station was closed down and will be redeveloped as part of the Smithfield Court development project.

Bailey Cassette System allows designers to bring distinctiveness and individuality to a wide range of modern interchange buildings. Bailey Cassette System can be used at low heights because each panel remains flat without ripples or fixing dimples. This enables the creation of impressive, eye catching designs that work at any angle.

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