School of Architecture

The School of Architecture and Built Environment (SoABE) is the latest addition to the University of Wolverhampton’s investment in a new super-campus at the site of the former M&B Springfield Brewery. Producing 1,500 barrels of beer a week and employing 900 people at its peak, more recently the site has a chequered past, being abandoned for over a decade and experiencing two fires as well as a failed residential development. It has now been transformed into a magnificent venue for learning and research.

Birmingham-based Associated Architects have designed the new SoABE as a benchmark for any future buildings on the Springfield site. One of their aims was to link the past with the present by combining some of the brewery’s historic structures with state-of-the-art learning facilities.

WB Simpson and Sons (Midlands Team) were the contractors for the prestigious project and suggested several of our product solutions. This includes products that were used to create some beautiful visual elements of the project as well as more subtle solutions that would ensure the longevity of the building. A decorative staircase leads to the various teaching spaces on the first floor. The lighting profile Schlüter-LIPROTEC was used to indirectly illuminate the stairs, creating a stunning feature within the main foyer of the building.

As the main foyer is a vast, open space, the maintenance-free movement joint Schlüter-DILEX in aluminium was installed to provide stress-relieving properties. The use of a movement joint is especially valuable in large commercial areas such as this one due to the high level of foot traffic that will likely pass through.

Our team provided hands-on training to ensure the successful installation of their products and longevity of the project. We were incredibly proud to be involved in this beautiful building and look forward to working with the talented students studying there when they begin their careers in architecture and the built environment.