C O M M E N D A T I O N SSDA 2019
FACT FILE
Architect:
Sheppard Robson
Structural engineer:
Arup
Steelwork
contractor:
Billington Structures
Ltd
Main contractor:
Interserve
Construction Ltd
Client: Interserve
Construction Ltd
Ingenuity
House,
Birmingham
© Alex Upton Topping out at five-storeys,
NSC 27
October 19
Ingenuity House is the new
regional headquarters for the
support services and construction
firm, Interserve.
Located next to Birmingham
International Airport, Birmingham
International Railway Station and the
proposed HS2 Interchange Station, it is a
key element of ‘UK Central’ which forms
a catalyst for the regeneration strategy of
the area.
The 12,000m2, energy-efficient building
will bring together approximately 1,200
Interserve and RMD Kwikform staff, who
are currently spread across five regional
offices.
The project was designed by architect,
Sheppard Robson to create a collaborative,
inspirational working environment. The
exterior is characterised by the building’s
stepped structure, producing a strong
form that translates into a range of internal
spaces.
The stepped floorplates are all
constructed using cellular beams
allowing the horizontal distribution of
services within the depth of structure,
which delivers a clean ceiling plane
and maximises clear height; use of BIM
ensured accurate and efficient coordination
between structure and services
engineering.
The architectural form is said to
have presented some distinct structural
challenges, each requiring creative
solutions. These include the stepped floor
plates, the column-free entrance and the
38m-span atrium roof.
A series of raking columns with
external cantilevers and internal transfer
beams supporting stepped vertical
columns were found to provide the optimal
balance of structural efficiency and spatial
planning.
One of Interserve’s principle
requirements was for a building that
could adapt and flex over time in
response to changing business needs,
with each floorplate having the ability to
accommodate a variety of working modes.
While being primarily a bespoke
building for Interserve and working
within the physical constraints of the
site, the design does allow for potential
future subdivision with services in each
core serving particular areas of floorplate,
facilitating a degree of subdivision both
vertically and horizontally.
A total of 1,710t of structural steel
was supplied and erected by steelwork
contractor Billington Structures, including
a 30t roof level truss, supporting the roof
and fourth floor above the feature recessed
entrance area.
External structural members are all
galvanized to provide robust corrosion
protection and where fire protection is
required, an intumescent coating has been
applied to achieve the required rating.
Billington says it used a ‘just-in-time’
approach to procurement of material,
fabrication, delivery and erection of
steel. This was deemed to be the best
way to serve Interserve’s overall phased
construction programme and to minimise
storage time on-site. It also ensured the
steel was erected in the best possible
condition with no exposure-related
degradation of pre-applied finishes.
The judges say, the intelligent use of
steel has delivered a triangular building,
reflecting site constraints, stepped to give
environmental benefits to the offices within
and a cohesive grandeur to the whole.
A headquarters building
for a leading construction
firm forms the catalyst for
a regional regeneration
programme.
© Arup
© Jack Hobhouse
/Construction
/Service_integration#Cellular_beams
/Steel-supported_glazed_facades_and_roofs#Atrium_Roofs_and_Sky_lights
/Multi-storey_office_buildings#Flexibility_and_adaptability
/Design
/Construction#Steel_erection
/Trusses
/Metallic_coatings#Hot-dip_galvanizing
/Fire_protecting_structural_steelwork
/Fire_protecting_structural_steelwork#Intumescent_Coatings
/Fabrication
/Multi-storey_office_buildings