Perry Barr

Description:

BriggsAmasco delivered a large, complex waterproofing programme that will provide much-needed housing as part a long-awaited redevelopment in England’s ‘Second City’.

The work was integral to the Perry Bar Residential Scheme, a collaborative development designed to supply 1,400 sustainable new homes for the north Birmingham district. The project is key to Birmingham City Council’s 20-year regeneration masterplan for Perry Barr.

The Perry Bar Residential Scheme is being built on the former Birmingham City University north campus. The site was originally planned as an Athletes Village for competitors in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. A proportion of affordable homes are included in the allocation of one-to-two-bedroom apartments under construction at the new development.

Due to the £700m development’s size, the Perry Barr building project was divided into plots, with each one being delivered by a different contractor. However, this was a works programme for which a collaborative effort between individual companies was very much essential to a successful and time-efficient delivery.

BriggsAmasco was selected by main contractor Vinci Construction to design and install waterproofing for multiple roofs and a communal podium for Plot 7 of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme. The project was on behalf of developer Lendlease and its client, Birmingham City Council.

The scheme’s £2m waterproofing aspect involved six residential blocks comprising high and low-level roofs, terraces, balconies and green roofs across a 5,200m2 area. For BriggsAmasco, which was appointed by Vinci Construction due to the excellent working relationship the companies forged during previous Midlands-based projects, the programme presented a number of complex logistical and technical challenges.

Plot 7 Perry Barr contains 150 apartments split between six blocks, with BA tasked with delivering a watertight, thermally-efficient seal for a total of 10 roofs. For the high-and-low-level roofs, and roof terraces, a system comprising IKO Permatec liquid hot melt was designed and installed as part of a build-up including 160mm – 200mm insulation. The tough, rapid-setting system was ideal for the Plot 7 programme, as it ensured interior works were able to begin on time and remain protected against the elements. Easily recyclable with excellent low temperature flexibility, IKO Permatec’s UK manufacture also boosted the project’s environmental credentials. In addition, the system was installed for the communal podium area prior to its attractive paving finish.

For Plot 7 Perry Barr’s balcony areas, BriggsAmasco installed cold-applied liquid system, IKO Polimar FCS. Whilst for the blocks’ green and sedum roofs, BA’s preferred supplier, Eco Green Roofs, delivered a system that will increase the buildings’ biodiverse outcomes for many years to come.

Working in tandem with various trades on up to six different building areas at any one time proved a significant challenge for BA’s site operatives. This was overcome thanks to the team’s exceptional project management skills, with BA’s Branch Manager and Director both making regular visits to site to ensure works progressed.

A programme of works was drawn up between BA, brickwork contractors and other on-site trades to ensure schedules remained on track. Regular site meetings and video conferences were held between parties where open and honest discussion proved crucial to trades meeting individual deadlines for the project’s overall benefit.

Strict site restrictions remained in place throughout the Plot 7 project due to the development’s centrally-located podium. This meant material storage space was limited, resulting in delivery times to site being staggered to avoid impacting health and safety guidelines.

When groundworks progressed, hoists and contract lifting equipment were used to transport materials to roof level. Again, with health and safety a priority consideration for BA throughout the project, the materials’ transfer was carried out using the utmost care and attention. Such was its focus on safety, BA completed the huge, logistically-challenging 19-month Plot 7 project without a single H&S issue being reported.

Despite the testing working environment, BA delivered the roofing programme to the agreed deadline. The completed works were a sight to behold. Each roof and the communal podium were finished to an exceptional standard thanks to BA’s industry-renowned design skills and level of workmanship. Crucial to the company’s success on this project was its ability to take ownership of challenges as they presented. This was partly due to the excellent attitude shown by all members of the team.

Good relations with the main contractor were another aspect of the programme’s smooth delivery, with BA and Vinci Construction working together to resolve particular issues. Proactivity is core to BA’s on-site culture – operatives address problems before they become impactful. Hence, the company was able to deliver circa 6,000m2 of waterproofing works for the Plot 7 Perry Bar Residential Scheme without defects to create a safe, sustainable visually-stunning project for the ages. For its excellent performance on the Perry Barr development, earlier this year (2023) BriggsAmasco was the recipient of an IKO Contractor’s Recognition Award.