To develop a contemporary design for new stair towers, constructed as part of a refurbishment and extension project for the existing College building, that would clearly identify new from old and provide focal points for the scheme.
The towers are designed as a reinforced concrete frame, supporting giant interlocking brick panels that form all facades of the three-storey structures. Using the concept of ‘tetris blocks’ the panels recess and project at alternate levels, giving the design a vertical rhythm. Alternate panels change from stretcher bonding to stack bonding, creating a unique visual that is key to the successful execution of the design. Brick soffits have been achieved at projections using custom-made bricks supported horizontally on threaded stainless steel rods. Atlas Smooth Red bricks were used throughout the towers and to a new stand-alone Sports Hall, to project and identify the new structures from the dry dash render and brick coursing of the original 1960s building.
