Dec 2011 - Update on the new Birmingham Travelodge Development.

The budget hotel sector has for some time been one of the shining lights in the construction arena and is one that continues to grow rapidly. Characterised by tight build programmes and often challenging sites, it's a sector that has really embraced the concept of modern methods of construction.

In May this year, Aquarian Cladding supplied the Gebrik insulating brick cladding system to a £4 million hotel development in Birmingham city centre. Scheduled for completion in December 2011, the five-storey, timber frame building has been designed by architects The Harris Partnership and will deliver an 88 bedroom Travelodge hotel together with a Tesco Express at ground level.

The new structure has been constructed on the site of a Victorian red brick building (which was demolished in 1988) and will be clad with a combination of metal rainscreen and Gebrik cladding. The final specification was driven not only by aesthetic considerations, but also the speed of construction and the predictability that Gebrik brings to the build programme.

Perfectly complementing the modern building design, a combination of 510m² of Gebrik Royal Engobed and 120m² of Gebrik Sintra Terracotta Linguro were specified; Royal Engobed has a striking black glazed finish, whilst the weathered red multi Sintra Terracotta was chosen to complement the surrounding area.

Commenting on the scheme, Paul Richards, Managing Director at Aquarian Cladding, said: "We're delighted to have been involved in such a prestigious project. The balance of the two brick finishes specified for the scheme has delivered a striking finish, providing an elegant aesthetic solution which perfectly complements both the other materials selected for the project and the adjacent buildings. Gebrik is not only fast to install, but also provides much more confidence to the build programme - an essential requirement for projects in this sector which have to open on time, allowing revenue to be earned from the hotel rooms as soon as possible".

Please click on the rendered image below to see a larger version:

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• Client: Travelodge
• Site Address: Carrs Lane, Birmingham
• Architect: The Harris Partnership
• Main Contractor: PDR Construction
• Cladding Contractor: Eaga Contract Services Ltd
• Timber Frame Supplier: Unitek Timber Frame Systems
• Gebrik Finishes: SR12-90 Royal Engobed / FE71-41 Sintra Terracotta Linguro