Ibstock Telling

Working in collaboration with façade specialist Dane Architectural enabled the design to be developed towards a light weight facade solution that combines GRC fin shaped columns and feature beams fixed directly over areas of the curtain wall grid system at locations where insulated panels were present.This strategy had several advantages, in the first instance a weather tight structure was provided early on in the programme, whilst the GRC facade option provided a much lighter solution that provided significant savings in both cost and time. The access strategy, based on mast climber platforms adapted to include lifting beams, enabled glazing and GRC panels to be hoisted swiftly into position.

GRCA Full member Telling Architecture Ltd demonstrates how innovative 21st Century Modern Methods of Construction can be used to replicate 19th Century, Victorian inspired architecture. The key to authenticity when replicating historic construction methods or styles, is care and attention to detail. Get it wrong and at best you create a poor pastiche of a bygone era. This was the challenge presented to Telling Architectural that required them to develop further the techniques they have already established and utilised in the design and manufacture of brick faced GRC, to create convincing complex 3D forms.This £300 million project nestled between iconic 21st century London landmarks including Tate Modern and The Shard, comprises mixed use buildings that provide offices, shops, gallery restaurant and cinema adjacent to the historic and world-famous food destination Borough Market.This project identifies heavily and sympathetically with its Victorian past. Brick railway arches have been re-purposed to integrate with the facades of retained warehouses in addition to new contemporary architecture that is weaved in amongst connecting pedestrianised yard spaces that creates a refined reimagining of a bygone age.Telling Architectural Ltd continue to innovate and develop the capabilities of Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete. The addition of real brick facings provides the Architect/Specifier with a whole new range of possibilities that they can consider as a means to achieve their creative goals. There is a huge demand for the skills of a brick mason that can replicate the standard of detail and workmanship specific to this project. Unfortunately, as a result of an ageing workforce and low intake of new tradespeople, they are in short supply and come at a premium. The construction industry has had to evolve and adapt to find a solution to this problem, in addition to having to rethink its approach about the way we build. All these issues can be addressed and remedied by introducing off-site/premanufactured innovations that remove key elements off the critical path and in so doing deliver sustainable solutions in an on-time/just-in time basis.In most circumstances the go to solution would be to utilise traditional precast concrete, however using Brick Faced GRC provides significant savings in weight and use of raw material, which in turn can lead to further added benefits in both the extent of groundworks and design of the structural frame.  For Borough Yards London project, the challenge to fabricate masonry elements that include intricate features such as faceted columns utilising cant bricks, splayed sawtooth pattern beams with brick soffit returns, the term masonry cladding falls short in identifying what has been achieved on this project - this is façade engineering of an exceptional standard. Proof indeed of the opportunities Brick Faced GRC provides, not just for contemporary architectural styles, but also as a means to maintain and preserve a part of London’s Victorian Heritage.  Client: MB Bermondsey LtdMain Contractor: Wates ConstructionInstaller: LesteroseEngineer: EvolveArchitects: SPPARC ArchitectureScope of Work: 776m2 Brick Faced GRC Grade 18P  

Scope of work: 776m2 Brick Faced GRC Grade 18P intricate brick work achieved with Brick Faced GRC

Buildable"Glass Fibre Concrete (GRC) was identified early on as the ideal material for the project to achieve the desired civic aesthetic but also to avoid adding significant stress to the existing structure." - Nat Keast, Associate, Wilkinson-Eyre.DesignableThe project is an AJ Retrofit Higher Education & Campus Award 2023.The lightweight, three-dimensional GRC cladding panels featuring a stylisation of LSBU’s “sail” emblem give the building a welcoming, civic quality."We worked closely with subcontractor Tellings during the design phase to develop the three-dimensional panels, as well as vertical slats and horizontal bands. Alongside the 100% white bromo brick with white grout used for the existing concrete stair cores and shear walls, GRC helped change the perception of the building."We had to fight hard to keep the GRC through various value engineering exercises, but the university supported us and was able to appreciate the impact of the new facade." - Nat Keast, Associate, Wilkinson-Eyre.SustainableThe building has received a very good BREEAM rating and by retaining the existing structure, total embodied carbon is half of the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge target benchmark.