Built by Wates Group for developer MARK and designed by London-based architect SPPARC, Borough Yards features a number of transformed and re-purposed railway arches, viaducts and warehouses along with five new buildings, that weave their way from Borough Market to Clink Street. This new shopping and dining district also includes a cinema, art gallery and two new office buildings. IG Masonry Support worked with brickwork contractor Lesterose, designing and supplying a number of complex prefabricated brickwork elements including Welded Masonry Support (WMS), Brick Slip Masonry Support and its renowned B.O.S.S.+ (Brick on Soffit System).
The Challenge
In this landmark conservation area, the brickwork for the new buildings needed to compliment the existing brickwork on the repurposed viaducts and warehouses but also present their own unique character.
IG Masonry Support manufactured and supplied a range of prefabricated components that met both the wider considerations around planning in this conservation area and at the same time all fire and building regulations.
As part of the complex design for building 4, the architect and design team required a bespoke ‘floating’ brick feature presenting a jagged design. The utilisation of IG Masonry Support’s brick slips helped achieve the distinctive angled soffit design, offering a flawless and historic aesthetic in a modern, easy-to-install solution.
The distinctive spearheads featuring on building 2 were a separate hurdle but thanks to IG Masonry Support’s close collaboration with the contractors and the architect, it enabled an accurate and sufficient design. Installed over 4 level points of the building, these innovative spearheads, never seen before, were manufactured with glass reinforced concrete in between.
Customisable to the architect’s design wishes, the Brick Slip Systems and Masonry Support are prefabricated units manufactured offsite and delivered complete with bricks mechanically-fixed and bonded to them.
Trevor Morriss, Principal at SPPARC explained, “The use of masonry to realise our vision was a fundamental part of our design ethos. It was essential that the new buildings successfully cohabited with the heritage fabric. We wanted to ensure that each of the buildings had its own unique character whilst also harmonising with the surrounding area. Working wih IG Masonry Support and their range of products allowed us to realise these features. The detailing around the masonry is the fundamental part of this scheme. Working with IG Masonry Support was an absolute pleasure. We found their technical advice and can-do attitude essential to realising our ultimate vision.”
An integral part of the street scene and conservation area, these stunning new buildings sit side-by-side with the historic viaducts and warehouses. The presence of IG Masonry Support’s systems and the company’s technical prowess has ensured this landmark Southwark development is thoughtfully planned, well-built and a sought-after attraction in South London.
Find out more about IG Masonry Support’s innovative brickwork solutions for this project.
