Snowhill 2

UK, Birmingham

Project
Summary

Snowhill is a mixed-use site owned and developed by Hines, located between Snowhill Queensway and Snowhill station in Birmingham’s central business district. The development forms a strategic link between the business centre of Birmingham and the historic Gun and Jewellery Quarters. To this end, the design groups the new buildings around a series of landscaped public spaces encouraging pedestrian movement between the areas.

Most of the 300,000 ft2 has been let to a major UK law firm.

Scope

High-performance prefabricated glazed façade incorporating recessed aluminium spandrel panels, opaque glazed elements and external glass brise soleil.

Steel and glass stick systems in the ground floor and atrium end wall areas.

Structural silicone-glazed unitised façade to the staircases.

Glazed entrance systems, with powered doors.

Glazed atrium roof, walls and canopies.

Keyfacts

16 Storey Building

Façade surface 24,000m2

Prefabricated facade with external glass brise soleil

Facing
challenges

The design intent was a fully glazed, modern Office building but measures were needed to combat excessive solar gain. Solar control was achieved by the use of high-performance glass coatings and enamelled glass brise soleil systems, in conjunction with an inclined facade to the South elevations.

Off-site
Prefabrication

The facade design maximised the use of prefabricated facade systems,  manufactured off-site in China, and shipped as completed assemblies, and installed from the floor slabs. This significantly improves site installation times and interfaces, whilst maximising the quality associated with off-site fabrication.

Facing
Challenges

The construction programme was achieved by maximising the use of prefabrication across the entire project. This approach is key to achieving consistent quality within aggressive programme deadlines, and to ensure that safety of the site operatives remains at the top of the agenda.

Client

Hines UK

Architects

Sidell Gibson

Main Contractor

Balfour Beatty

Facade Consultant

BDA

Location

UK, Birmingham

Sector

Office

Contract Type

Design & Build

Timeline

Completed in Q2 - 2013

See More Projects

Our Projects