Shauna Bradley, Associate at Glenn Howells Architects and Rob Neild, Associate, Arup, presented a Table Talk that showcased how close collaboration between architect and structural engineer has unlocked one of Birmingham’s most congested sites to create a new landmark for the city. One Centenary Way will be the first building developed as part of Phase Two of Paradise Birmingham.
Through a series of drawings, tracings and models, Shauna and Rob discussed how the scheme is the most constrained building within the masterplan and has had to address a number of below-ground constraints. The primary constraint is the A38 Queensway Tunnel which runs directly underneath the building and will remain active throughout the construction and future occupation of the building. As a result, there is very little opportunity for the building to make contact with the ground as a traditional building would. In the absence of a normal load-bearing core, the team developed a solution that was for the building’s façade to provide the stability in the form of a Vierendeel Exoskeleton. After a lively presentation, the audience were able to ask questions about the project and the collaboration between GHA, Arup and the wider design and construction team.
The Birmingham Architectural Association is kindly supported by Allermuir, Ibstock, Allgood, Armitage Shanks, Taylor Maxwell, Delta Light, Milliken, Marley, SKG Kitchen Gallery, Reynaers and Altro.
