New inner glass skin for Urban Splash Fort Dunlop

The reinvented Fort Dunlop has 'shed' its windows in favour of an innovative inner glass skin, creating the effect of a crystal cube within the 90 year-old Birmingham landmark.

The reinvented Fort Dunlop has 'shed' its windows in favour of an innovative inner glass skin, creating the effect of a crystal cube within the 90 year-old Birmingham landmark.

Redefined by award-winning property developer, Urban Splash, as a high profile and high performance commercial space, the locally listed building will enjoy a phased opening from the Spring, with a grand opening planned for the end of 2006.

Combining contemporary with traditional architecture, the facade has been reinvented to reflect the building's new use.

Replacing the flat windows, is new full height glazing that stands 1.5-metres in from the outer brick work.

The total replacement of bricks with glass in the East end elevation and the full height glazing on the sixth floor extension completes the sense of a glass box within the building.

A raised floor links the glass skin and exterior walls, creates a new service access walkway, which offers several benefits.

Housing a new under floor services area, it will remove unsightly plant from view and mean that the core of the building can be used for stairs and lifts.

And, with nearly ten miles of glass, it will make life a lot easier for the building's window cleaners!.

Fort Dunlop - glass fantastic facts.

* There are 1,360 individual units of glass.

* The total area of glass is more than 6,000m2, equivalent to a regular-sized football pitch.

* If the four individual glass panes used in each of the units were laid end to end they would stretch for 9.5miles (more than 15,000 metres) - from Fort Dunlop in Birmingham to Solihull town centre.

* Almost 8 miles (12,600 metres) of aluminium extrusion has been used, equivalent to the height of 210 Birmingham Wheels or 93 of giant ferris wheel, the London Eye, at 135 metres high.

* 2.75 miles (4,326 metres) of extruded silicone profile has been used internally on the glass joints, equivalent to the length of 360 double decker buses parked end to end.

* 5.25 miles (8,500 metres) of silicone sealant has been applied by hand, equivalent to the height of 85 Big Bens stood on top of each other.

* 29,500 individual fixing components have been used to secure the sections to the building.

Hazel Rounding of appointed architectural practice, shedkm, is the lead architect on the project, "The building's former windows were flat and dull".

"In creating a new life for Fort Dunlop, we wanted to symbolise the changed use for the building through a series of striking architectural statements that also deliver practical benefits for the building".

John Harvey is Business Manager with Solaglas Structural Contracting, the glazing supplier, "Utilising the very best and latest technology, we're proud to be installing the contemporary glazing at Fort Dunlop".

"We believe that the innovative approach adopted at Fort Dunlop is the first time that an inner glass skin has ever been used in the UK on a renovation project".

Guy Jackson is West Midlands Director of Urban Splash, "Urban Splash's ambition to redevelop the former tyre factory into a building that is light and spacious, technically advanced and environmentally friendly has been constant".

"The inner glass skin is just one of the many ways in which we are using discerning conservation to create a world class office, leisure and retail space".

The refurbishment and construction work has been carried out by the property developer's construction arm, Urban Splash Build.

The glazing has been installed by Solaglas Structural Contracting.

Adjacent to the M6 and at well over an acre per floor, Fort Dunlop offers the largest floor plates available outside of the M25.

Occupiers will be able to enjoy the UK's largest living grass roof, whilst guests can relax in the retail and leisure on offer and rest their head at night in the new 100-bedroom hotel that also makes a striking architectural statement.

With space from just £10 per square foot, there has been growing interest in Fort Dunlop.

A preview event in November was attended by a record breaking 500 business people.

With an increasing amount of space is already under offer, the first tenant announcements are expected soon.

More details on Fort Dunlop can be found at www.fortdunlop.com.

More details on Urban Splash can be found at www.urbansplash.co.uk.

Lettings are being managed by GVA Grimley on 0121 236 8236 and DTZ Debenham Tie Leung on 0121 200 2050 and Urban Splash on 07000 70 40 40.

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