The Goodsyard
Product used on this project
Overview
The Goodsyard, formerly named Hockley Mills, is a mixed-use development on a previous brownfield site featuring distinctive brickwork, characterful archways and deep-set windows that reflect the Victorian warehouse heritage of the local area.
Located in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham City Centre, the project showcases a residential complex with 395 apartments, individual landscaped courtyards, commercial, retail and workshop spaces. The Goodsyard is designed to facilitate living, working and leisure, whilst providing open spaces and access to rail and metro transport links. The development consists of eleven main buildings and the Brick Services team were thrilled to help the architects at Glancy Nicholls and the contractors Sir Robert McAlpine with eight of them.
Brick Services supplied six different bricks to the project: the Ashley Red Multi, Hurtswood Multi, Traditional English Red, Timanfaya Blue, Artico White and Plum Glazed.
Design Concept
Designed by architects Glancy Nicholls and managed by Sir Robert McAlpine, The Goodsyard’s contemporary style was designed to be sensitive to the surrounding Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area.
Famed as a hub for jewellery makers and other retailers, this site has been described by English Heritage as ‘a place of unique character’ and a ‘national treasure’. Its charm lies in its collection of 19th and 20th century buildings that were home to jewellery manufacturers and metalworkers, some of which continue to be used for their original purpose.
The rich industrial heritage of the area demanded thoughtful design considerations. To ensure that the character of the area was both preserved and enhanced, the Brick Services team delved into traditional material palettes, translating them into a brickwork selection that would be sensitive to planning guidelines, whilst adding a modern twist.
Project Completion
A defining feature of the Jewellery Quarter is its simple palette of red brick and grey slate punctuated by white glazed bricks, which Brick Services translated into the brickwork selection for The Goodsyard development. The team recommended three red bricks to meet the brief, paired with a dark blue brick that would echo the grey slate. White glazed bricks were also incorporated to reflect historic details, whilst plum glazed bricks added depth and warmth, harmonising with the red tones and offering a subtle nod to the site’s legacy.
The six brick types selected not only helped to incorporate the new site into the conservation area, but the variety also helped to offer differentiation between the blocks and to avoid too much uniformity across the facades.
To more closely match the new brickwork with the existing, each of the red bricks were supplied with a waterstruck finish. In addition, the predominant brick bonds used were a variation of Flemish bond and English garden wall bond to offer a more heritage feel.
The initial plan for the facades was to use a brick slip system. However, after a very thorough process, it was eventually decided to pursue a traditional build that was facilitated by Caxton Builders.
Due to the high-profile nature of the project, Sir Robert McAlpine were keen to identify any potential delays early on, although some were unavoidable. The Covid pandemic impacted construction and brick stocks, whilst international events significantly affected prices as fuel costs rose. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the teams involved, Brick Services managed to supply the project and keep everything moving.
This development has become a treasured addition to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, so much so that it was named Best Residential Development at the RICS 2024 Midlands Awards.
Get in touch with our knowledgeable teams, to get the information you need and start your project. Call us on 0191 414 5030 or send us as an email at sales@brickservices.co.uk
