Charnwood bricks ensure high-quality aesthetics and longevity on a major new addition to Brighton College
Founded in 1845, Brighton College is a private, 1500-pupil, co-educational day and boarding school in East Sussex. A new 23-classroom building by Hopkins Architects replaces several outdated structures, and provides a creative learning centre, offices and breakout spaces organised around a central atrium. Constructed from flint and solid loadbearing Charnwood brick from Michelmersh, the 2300-square-metre scheme is designed to BREEAM Excellent.
Located near the historic front quadrangle of grade II listed buildings, the new five-storey addition by Hopkins Architects is of high-quality, while being respectful in both scale and massing
“Hopkins were appointed to design The Kai Yong Yeoh Building at Brighton College following an international competition”, explains project architect Mike Burnell. “The College campus has been modernised incrementally over the years in a manner sympathetic to its focal position within the wider designated conservation area. The historic heart of the campus comprises buildings by George Gilbert Scott, Thomas Graham Jackson and FT Cawthorn, all of which are grade II listed and use a combination of red brick and flint work, setting the palette and tone for much of the campus.
Constructed principally of brick and flint, the project includes accents of other materials, with brise soleil in front of fully glazed gable ends
The materials and details specified provide visual continuity with the neighbouring buildings, through the use of the carefully selected Charnwood Farnham Red handmade brick, laid in matching Flemish bond. The hydraulic lime mortar allows the number of movement joints to be minimised, eschewing them from the main elevations. Flint is used on the south-east facade facing into the campus, with the same Charnwood brick employed for the string courses to demarcate the individual storeys.
“Charnwood Farnham Red brickwork was specifically selected for its distinctive and high-quality appearance and longevity”, says Burnell. “The colour and uniformity is complementary of the surrounding contextual environment which was a key driver from the outset. The service offered by Michelmersh in selecting the brick was exceptional.”
The Charnwood Farnham Red brick is laid in Flemish bond to complement the existing school buildings
Frank Hanna, Joint Chief Executive Officer of Michelmersh, commented, “The Kai Yong Yeoh Building in Brighton is yet another example of quality masonry architecture that will stand the test of time for many generations. The clever design incorporates solar gain and natural ventilation, in combination with the provision of thermal mass in the brick frame, which also consists of Charnwood products of suitable compressive strength in the non-visible backings. This has ensured that occupants receive the highest level of wellbeing from the healthiest possible environment, while also offering maximum daylight and outside views. We are proud to have been involved with this brilliant design by Hopkins, which has been built to equally admirable standards by McLaren Construction. We are sure that this school building will perform a crucial role in the education of the intelligent youth at Brighton College for many years to come.”
