Off-Site Integration With a Textured Paint Finish at Colmore Plaza, Birmingham

Off-site prefabrication from SAS International was specified for the exciting new Colmore Plaza office development in Birmingham. Aedas Architects and the project development team, Abstract Securities, specified System 330 with SAS FT, a fine textured paint finish, for the ceilings for Phase 1 of this prestigious Class A office building.

Apertures for luminaires and other services are factory formed reducing on site wastage and installation time. However for this project a prefabricated solution was specified by the M&E Consultants with air diffusers factory integrated into the tile. This facilitated the speed and ease of installation, and created build efficiencies for the fit-out of the initial office suites.

The linear grid metal ceiling system installed in the open plan office areas creates a neat, streamlined feel for space. As there was a requirement to make the ceiling appear as uniform as possible, a small perforation pattern for the tiles was chosen in keeping with this ‘monolithic’ look, whilst assisting with acoustic performance.

The developer, who specified a metal ceiling for its durability and performance, wanted to achieve a flat non reflectant ceiling. SAS International’s fine textured paint finish, SAS FT, offered a visual appearance similar to emulsioned plasterboard with a semi-matt/low-gloss appearance. SAS FT negates the chance of lighting ‘hotspots’ (indirect light sources common with up lighting) and glare occurring, increasing the perceived flatness of a metal ceiling while maintaining the durability and functionality of a metal ceiling.

The building itself is designed to appear both modern and simple, so it will not date, and utilises the highest quality materials. A robust but aesthetic choice of materials was therefore important throughout. Colmore Plaza represents Birmingham’s single, largest speculative office development to date, and is now owned by Carlyle Europe Real Estate, part of the Carlyle private equity group.

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