Set in the heart of Birmingham’s thriving Jewellery Quarter, Setl involved the transformation of Cornwall House, a former office block built in the 1970s, into a high quality residential development comprising 101 one bedroom and two bedroom apartments, with commercial space at ground floor level.
BPN Architects was appointed to design and develop the scheme. Drawing on the practice’s extensive experience of working within the historic Jewellery Quarter, the team created a contemporary building that responds sensitively to the area’s distinctive industrial character.
Located in the desirable St Paul’s area and within easy reach of Birmingham city centre, Setl brings together the Jewellery Quarter’s rich heritage and its continuing evolution as a vibrant place to live and work.
Clay brick at the heart of the design
Clay brick plays a central role in establishing the architectural identity of Setl. Ibstock’s Arden Weathered Red and Cissbury Red Multi bricks were selected to reference Birmingham’s characteristic red brick and terracotta architecture, creating a clear visual connection between the new development and its historic surroundings.
The combination of warm red, deep red and rich brown tones gives the elevations depth and natural variation. This varied palette helps to break down the scale of the building while allowing different parts of the façade to be expressed through subtle changes in colour, texture and brickwork detailing.
The character of the clay brick also responds to the robust materiality associated with the Jewellery Quarter’s historic workshops, factories and warehouses. While the development is contemporary in form, the use of a familiar and enduring material allows it to sit comfortably alongside the area’s established streetscape.
Connecting the past and present
The main block is arranged around a distinctive hinge shaped profile and is defined by areas of deep red brickwork. These elements provide a subtle reference to Birmingham’s role as a birthplace of the Industrial Revolution while also acknowledging the site’s more immediate history. Hinge Works once occupied a neighbouring plot.
The brick façades give Setl a strong sense of permanence and provide a carefully considered backdrop to the windows, balconies and other contemporary architectural features. The richness and variation of the clay units create visual interest across the elevations, with the appearance of the brickwork changing naturally according to the light and viewing angle.
Clay brick was therefore more than a surface finish for the project. It became an important part of the architectural concept, helping the design communicate the history, material character and identity of its location.
Through its considered form, carefully selected brick palette and detailed façades, Setl demonstrates how clay brick can support sensitive development within an important historic setting. The completed building respects the industrial legacy of the Jewellery Quarter while delivering high quality homes suited to modern city living.
Project details
Location: Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham - https://setl.space/
Brick manufacturer: Ibstock
Brick products: Arden Weathered Red and Cissbury Red Multi
Architect and designer: BPN Architects
Brickwork contractor: GMI Construction
Client and developer: Henry Boot Developments Limited
Brick Bulletin | Feature 308
