HSBC Headquarters, Birmingham

Manufacturer: Feathercast Ltd

Client: HSBC

Architect: Make Architects

Contractor: Galliford Try

Product: Jesmonite AC730

The Project

How does the one of the world’s largest high street banks make a bold statement in its new British HQ? By using Jesmonite to create a stunning feature wall in its reception, of course!

During 2016, Make Architects were tasked with designing a fully-integrated reception feature wall for HSBC’s new state-of-the-art British Headquarters at 1 Centenary Square, Birmingham.

Further to Make Architects’ initial discussions with Jesmonite’s Technical Sales department, it was confirmed that the client required a lightweight decorative stone finish cladding system to cover approximately 200 square metres. The most appropriate Jesmonite material solution for this type of project was Jesmonite AC730.

Jesmonite AC730 contains fine decorative aggregates and pigments, carefully controlled to give a consistent decorative surface finish, whilst achieving an A2-s1, d0 EN 13501-1 Fire Classification.

Make Architects put forward a selection of Jesmonite AC730 samples to HSBC whilst Jesmonite also offered HSBC a bespoke colour matching service in order that they could achieve their favoured Jesmonite AC730 colour scheme across the reception feature wall.

The bespoke Jesmonite AC730 panels were manufactured by Feathercast Limited who work solely with Jesmonite materials as its chameleon-like technology enables them to accurately replicate an inexhaustible range of surfaces, distinctive finishes and designs.

Jesmonite AC730 was the material of choice not only because of its ability to match the surroundings so effectively but more importantly because of the green qualities it possesses, particularly compared to more traditional building materials.

“The main foyer had to represent the whole build so not only did we consider the aesthetic appeal of Jesmonite, we also considered how we could reduce the environmental impact of our project.

The restricted space we were working in required us to avoid the use of heavy machinery in the fixing of the façade. The choice of Jesmonite’s light-weight materials enabled us to achieve this whilst at the same reducing the carbon output.

Factors such as the non-combustibility, flexibility and strength to weight ratios also featured in the decision making.”

Emma Pearson
Feathercast Limited