A contemporary block from Lignacite complements a state-of-the-art healthcare facility in Barnsley

In association with

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Photos
Guy Carpenter (Gullwing Photography), P+HS Architects

A contemporary recycled block with a unique composition
Whether your project requires concrete facing masonry or a modern style brick, Lignacite’s versatile range of standard blocks and Roman Bricks provides architects and designers with a solution. With its contemporary appearance and wide range of colours and textures, the Roman Brick in particular is fast becoming popular with architects that are striving to find a material that not only looks good, but is affordable, easy to handle and saves time.

P+HS Architects specified the Roman Brick on one of its latest projects, Burleigh Medical Centre in Barnsley. “Our client chose the ‘Split’ faced Snowstorm Roman brick due to its unique composition that includes light- reflecting particles of recycled material”, commented P+HS. “This contemporary module enhanced the exterior of this prominent building with a high-quality finish, while also presenting a heavily contrasted feel against the anthracite roof and wall cladding”.

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The project comprises a two-storey primary care medical centre and integrated pharmacy. Designed to serve a significantly deprived area, the welcoming new building has increased patient capacity, extended opening hours, enhanced services, and provided an outstanding environment for patients and staff. The centre stands as a beacon of quality in the heart of the community, its design rooted in local heritage.

Community was at the heart of the client brief from the outset. The vision was for a state-of-the-art building that would be an attractive focal point within the neighbourhood and provide contemporary and engaging spaces for its service users. The design concept pays homage to Barnsley’s historic mining community through the choice of materials used internally and externally. The heavily contrasting materials have contributed to the buildings striking appearance and its positive impact on the prominent gateway site on Sheffield Road.

The location of the acoustic art panels reacts to both natural light entering the building and the carefully selected feature lighting. The artwork also connects the reception and waiting areas through the use of yellow and blue wayfinding colours, which differentiate the ground and first floor.

About the Lignacite Roman Brick
Conceived as a contemporary and modern design feature for architects and designers, Lignacite’s Roman Brick is smaller than a block, but larger than a brick, and comes in more than 50 colours, textures and finishes.

The Roman Brick is either cut from our standard size block, or formed in a special block machine mould. We can therefore provide this format in all of our colours and texture combinations to create a large range of different effects. Polished and planished finishes allow crisp, clean lines, while splitting or shot- blasting the product creates a softer more weathered appearance.

How it is made?
As with all Lignacite products, Roman Bricks are manufactured from a range of different aggregates and incorporate a high percentage of recycled materials, such as shell block, re-cycled glass and mother of pearl.

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Build Benefits
The units measure 440x65mm (one-third of the size of a traditional block) allowing designers considerable flexibility and scope to create a unique look. They weigh less than 7kgs (one third of the weight of a traditional block) meaning no HSE issues during handling on site. Being twice the length of a conventional brick, they can also be laid more quickly. Added to this, the Roman Brick does not ‘swim’ making it easier to lay and more cost-effective.

Versatility
As well as creating a contemporary look, Roman Bricks can also help new buildings to blend in with traditional settings.

Custom-Made
Our aim is to work alongside designers in creating unique products that complement construction projects. This can include using recycled aggregate from an existing building on the site, through to incorporating almost anything from natural sea shells to luminescent powder-coated glass.

Contact Details
For further information on the Roman Brick, Lignacite standard blocks, samples and swatch guides showing all our block finishes, please visit the Lignacite website. Design guidance and site work guides can be downloaded from the Technical Library on our website. To book our CPD please visit the Lignacite website or call 01482 810678.