FP McCann Offsite Precast Concrete Cross-Wall and Architectural Cladding System Specified on Birmingham Residential Development
FP McCann has recently completed a structural and architectural precast concrete project for Birmingham-based developer Prosperity Group. The £35 million JQ Rise development consists of 226 modern apartments located in the heart of Birmingham’s iconic Jewellery Quarter.
This impressive project spans three blocks, with heights of four, eight, and 25 storeys, providing a striking addition to the city’s skyline. The building design retains a red brick-facing aspect, a characteristic that harmonises with the surrounding urban environment while offering modern living spaces.
Adopting Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the development incorporates structural precast concrete internal cross-walls and external architectural sandwich panel cladding, all of which were manufactured offsite and installed by FP McCann. As a Tier 2 BIM Level 2 certified supplier, FP McCann adhered to stringent Employer’s Information Requirements (EIR), ensuring that BIM Execution Plans (BEP) were implemented from the start.
The precast structural solution comprises core and party walls, prestressed hollowcore flooring planks, lift cores, stair cores, and stair landings. Integral to the design, the architectural brick-faced sandwich panels feature a blend of traditional “English Red” and “Ketley Blue” bricks, backed with insulation and concrete to meet required U-values. The panels offer an aesthetically pleasing and durable finish across all levels of the building.
Precast concrete columns and beams were installed at the ground floor to support the walls above, and the external architectural panels' structural leaf is 180mm thick, with a 50mm brick facing and 80mm of concrete and insulation. Additionally, the project’s design incorporates red dogtooth brickwork projections that align with the external face of the sandwich panels.
FP McCann’s MMC approach included features such as brick slips on column sides, soffits on beams, and fair face finishes on internal walls. These features facilitated a faster build and allowed follow-on trades to complete their work more efficiently. The accelerated construction timeline—achieved through offsite manufacturing—enabled the JQ Rise project to be completed in just 56 weeks, significantly reducing build time compared to traditional methods.
Anthony Grant, Project Manager for Prosperity Group, commented: “By reducing construction times by 40%-60% compared to traditional methods, offsite construction and MMC have proven invaluable in addressing the demand for affordable housing in urban areas. JQ Rise is a prime example of how these innovative methods can help meet the housing challenge while providing quality, sustainable living spaces for the future.”
Mark McCann, Director at FP McCann, added: “We’re proud to have partnered with Prosperity Group on this exceptional project. JQ Rise is a fantastic showcase of modern construction techniques, creating valuable living spaces in the heart of Birmingham, while enhancing the local urban landscape.”