One Chamberlain Square, Birmingham

Contemporary design, which acknowledges the city’s industrial heritage

One Chamberlain Square was the first building to be delivered as part of Argent’s £700m Paradise scheme in the heart of Birmingham.

Situated on the site of the old Birmingham library, it provides 150,000 sq ft of office space and 22,000 sq ft of ground floor restaurant and retail space. On the sixth floor there is a large 600sqm roof terrace, with views across the square and beyond. It is now fully occupied by professional services firm PwC.

Project details

Client: Argent LLP
Architect: Eric Parry
Structures: Ramboll, BAM Design

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172,000 sq ft

Grade A space

137

terracotta fins

3000

windows in the building

First

building of the Paradise Scheme

A reflection of the city’s industrial heritage

The building brings together contemporary design, while acknowledging Birmingham’s industrial past. Its bespoke façade utilises lustrous twice-fired faience with a grey/white ceramic glaze, which reflects the Anglesey limestone material palette of the nearby town hall, as well as polished pre-cast antique bronze frames around the shop fronts at ground level.

A striking curved glazed façade

Above the retail space the curved glazed façade, features 137 extruding glazed clay fins, which complement the civic architecture that surrounds One Chamberlain Square. The curved glazing provides occupants with 360 degree views and creates a sense of movement within the streetscape, which changes dependent on the time of day and available light.

A sustainable space

The external façades were modelled extensively and the heat gains reduced using the vertical ceramic fins and horizontal shades, which provide added solar control to the glazing. High efficiency LED lighting was used throughout.

Don't just take our word for it...

One Chamberlain Square

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Eric Parry and Tom Emerson discuss the project’s urban ambitions, material character and design development

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Tags: Mixed development Midlands Construction Sustainability Social Value Services Engineering

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