At 18 storeys, Birmingham 1 is the tallest UK building to utilise this new core construction technology, which has provided the project team with an unprecedented flexibility.

Andy Ashley, Midlands Region Commercial Director for Ocon Construction, comments: “As a company we are keen to embrace innovative modular construction technologies where they deliver better value for the customer. Birmingham 1 is a large city scheme located at a busy traffic intersection on one of the main routes into Birmingham – so speed of installation was essential. Corefast can be erected up to six times faster than an equivalent concrete core – and this proved a key factor in our decision to use the product.”

The stiffness and rigidity of the Corefast system meant that three of the reinforced concrete cores specified in the original design could be eliminated. This reduced the requirement for different trades at each stage of the construction programme as all the interfaces between the core and frame are steel – improving buildability and increasing cost efficiency.

Birmingham 1 features a striking 18-storey glass and zinc-clad tower - the centrepiece of this impressive steel framed four-block development, which will provide halls of residence for 604 students from September 2007. The steelwork, installed by Henry Smith (Constructional Engineers) Ltd, covers the full external footprint of the site, enclosing a spacious internal courtyard, which will feature a luxury leisure suite, Internet café plus ancillary commercial and retail areas. 

The anticipated benefits of Corefast have been fully realised on this project. Site safety has been enhanced, programme timings have been met, predicted levels of accuracy achieved and cost benefit objectives fulfilled.