The architecture studio Howells has created a new landmark in the English city of Birmingham, a building located above the A38 Queensway tunnel, overcoming a challenging two-level terrain that connects two of the city's most important civic spaces, Chamberlain Square and Centenary Square.

The 13-storey building defines the next generation of sustainable workspaces and represents an important step towards the transformation of the city into a dynamic, mixed-use metropolis. It is part of the Paradise Masterplan, which is due to be completed by 2030 and is intended to transform the city centre into a more connected and liveable European metropolis.

The building by Howells, characterized by its exoskeleton, is designed to represent Birmingham’s industrial heritage and acts as a giant bridge, with sixteen trusses transferring the load of the structure to either side of the tunnel and the exoskeleton providing stability to offset the high levels of movement of the tunnel below, a major thoroughfare in the city that remained fully operational throughout the construction process.

Inside, One Centenary Way employs a grid that is echoed by a rigorously composed façade with a strong horizontal emphasis, offering flexible floors to accommodate a multitude of organizations and favoring panoramic views of the city center. These spaces are also in keeping with the structurally expressive exterior through their exposed steel frames, accompanied by a palette of naturally textured materials.

Nuevo hito en la ciudad. «One Centenary Way» por Howells. Fotografía por Hufton+Crow

New landmark in the city. "One Centenary Way" by Howells. Photograph by Hufton+Crow.

Project description by Howells

Howells completes One Centenary Way, a new landmark for Birmingham that defines the next generation of sustainable workspace, and another significant chapter in the city’s transformation into a lively, mixed-use metropolis.

The 13-storey building sits above the A38 Queensway Tunnel, negotiating a challenging, split-level site that connects two of the city’s most important civic spaces, Chamberlain Square and Centenary Square. It is the first completed building of phase two of Howells’ Paradise Masterplan and will provide workspace for 3,500 people, along with hospitality, outdoor terrace and communal amenities at ground floor level.

Constructed above a live piece of transport infrastructure, Howells collaborated closely with Arup to develop a structural design solution addressing the specific logistical challenges of the site. Characterised by its Vierendeel exoskeleton, the building is designed to express Birmingham’s industrial heritage and acts as a giant bridge, with sixteen one-storey trusses transferring the load of the structure to either side of the tunnel. The exoskeleton provides stability to compensate for a non-load bearing core and the high levels of movement from the tunnel below - a major city thoroughfare which remained fully operational throughout the construction process.

An 8 metre-high lantern on top of the building, constructed within the façade’s structural grid, features a changeable 360-degree light display visible from miles around, adding a colourful crown to Birmingham’s city skyline.

Nuevo hito en la ciudad. «One Centenary Way» por Howells. Fotografía por Hufton+Crow
New landmark in the city. "One Centenary Way" by Howells. Photograph by Hufton+Crow.

Internally, One Centenary Way’s layout employs a column-minimising 9x12m grid, mirrored by a rigorously composed façade with a strong horizontal emphasis. The interior offers flexible floorplates that cater to a multitude of organisations, from a creative engineering studio for Arup to a technology hub for Goldman Sachs, and offer panoramic views of the city centre. In keeping with the structurally expressive exterior, interior spaces feature exposed steel frames complemented by a material palette of natural textures and bespoke fittings.

The all-electric scheme features smart-enabled building management technology, which collects live data on energy and facility use, allowing for more efficient use of energy, water, and other amenities. With room for up to 500 bicycles, One Centenary Way also hosts Birmingham’s first large-scale cycle hub, providing secure lock-up space, alongside cyclists’ facilities including showers, locker rooms, servicing, and bike hire.

Maximising sustainability and reducing embodied carbon was central to the project, resulting in a structural design that minimises the use of concrete foundations and superstructure, instead utilising recycled steel manufactured in the UK by BHC Steel, using wind and biomass energy. Together, optimising the production route from factory to site and switching to rolled steel sections saved up to 6,000 tonnes of embodied CO2, reducing the building’s overall carbon footprint. The project is on track to achieve a BREEAM Excellent certification.

Nuevo hito en la ciudad. «One Centenary Way» por Howells. Fotografía por Hufton+Crow
New landmark in the city. "One Centenary Way" by Howells. Photograph by Hufton+Crow.

"We are immensely proud of our work at Paradise, and One Centenary Way is a significant chapter of that journey. A complex and challenging brief from the outset, this building represents the very best of collaborative working bringing together innovative engineering and design solutions to deliver a distinct new landmark for the city that defines the next generation of sustainable workspace."

Dav Bansal, Partner at Howells.

"The completion of One Centenary Way is another significant chapter in the story of Paradise and the city. It is a testament to the dedication and collaborative approach of the construction and design teams to deliver this complex new building with its exceptional SMART and sustainability credentials. The early success of the lettings only highlights that its exceptional quality has been recognised and endorsed by leading global businesses."

Rob Groves, regional development director at MEPC, the commercial property development and asset management arm of Federated Hermes.

“We are very proud of our new office, and our role in ensuring One Centenary Way is sustainable and innovative. Our new office showcases Arup’s commitment to delivering sustainable solutions and our net zero carbon aspirations One Centenary Way is an ideal new home where we can make our knowledge and global expertise easily accessible to clients and collaborators, while making meaningful contributions to the city and region.”

James Watts, Arup Birmingham Office Leader.

One Centenary Way forms part of the 186.000 sqm (two million sq. ft), 1400 million euros (£1.2 billion) "Paradise" Masterplan which includes the completion of an additional seven further buildings, including the 370-home, 155m-tall Octagon also designed by Howells, as well as further office, leisure and retail space and a 250-bedroom four-star hotel. On track for completion by 2030, the masterplan is set to transform the city centre into a more connected and liveable, European metropolis.

More information

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2022-2024.

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Birmingham, United Kingdom.

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Howells is an architecture practice established in 1989. Led by Glenn Howells has built a strong reputation for designing innovative buildings and shaping areas of cities.

The practice has studios in both Birmingham and London, it has won numerous major design competitions, over more than 120 awards from industry organisations and built a portfolio of completed projects across a diverse range of building types. He has an overview of all aspects of the practice and regularly reviews all projects during the design development and construction stages.

Glenn has been closely involved with shaping the future of some of Britain’s most complex and ambitious regeneration projects. The practice has provided masterplans that have prepared the way for billions of pounds worth of investment such as Paradise in the civic heart of Birmingham, the historic Chapel Street area of Salford and the Royal Wharf project in London Docklands. The Practice has recently worked on a vision for the entire Eastside of Birmingham, an area that’s set to be transformed by the arrival of the High Speed 2 rail link.

Outside of the practice, Glenn chairs the board of the Ikon Gallery and Warwick University’s Building Committee and sits on the advisory board of Birmingham Hippodrome and the West Midland’s regional architecture centre, MADE. Glenn continues to work closely with the RIBA and CABE where he was a member of the 2012 Olympic design review committee. In the academic field, Glenn is an external examiner at Sheffield Hallam University and a lecturer at the Centre of Alternative Technology in Wales.

The partners of the practice are currently Glenn Howells, Davinder Bansal, Darren Barbier, Ben Round and Reinhold Schmaderer.

 

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Published on: October 8, 2024
Cite: "New landmark in the city. "One Centenary Way" by Howells" METALOCUS. Accessed
<http://www.metalocus.es/en/news/new-landmark-city-one-centenary-way-howells> ISSN 1139-6415
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