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The project has created sustainable, efficient workspaces for 3500 people in downtown Birmingham
Already a symbol of Birmingham, One Centenary Way, designed by Howells, has defined the next generation of sustainable workplaces, representing a significant chapter in the city’s transformation into a vibrant metropolis. The 13-story office building occupies an unusual site above the A38 Queensway Tunnel, which connects Chamberlain and Centenary Squares, two of the city’s most important public spaces.
Working in close collaboration with Arup, Howells developed a structural design that responded to the specific logistical challenges of the site. Built over a working thoroughfare, the building is like a bridge with its sixteen story-height trusses transferring its load to either side of the tunnel below. Since it wasn’t possible to build a load-bearing core, and given the high traffic levels in the tunnel (which remained open during construction), the architects opted for an exoskeleton composed of Vierendeel trusses to provide structural stability, while simultaneously paying tribute to Birmingham’s metalworking heritage.
One Centenary Way provides workspace for 3500 people as well as an outdoor terrace and street-level amenities. At the top of the building, an 8 m high sky lantern, built within the structural grid of the façade, adds a 360-degree light show to the Birmingham skyline that can be seen for kilometers.
The interior layout has a 9x12 m grid to minimize the need for columns, while the façade has a strong horizontal emphasis. Its interior spaces are highly configurable, while offering panoramic views of the city. Reflecting the external structure, the rooms feature exposed steel frames and a palette of natural materials with custom-made fittings.
One Centenary Way is also home to Birmingham’s first large-scale cycle hub, offering secure lock-up spaces for 500 bikes, and facilities such as showers, locker rooms, and bike repair and hire services.
Environmental sustainability and reducing carbon dioxide emissions were central to the project, which used recycled British steel to replace concrete foundations and superstructure, and harnessed wind and biomass energy. This fully electric building is equipped with intelligent management technology that collects real-time energy consumption data and, therefore, enables efficient resource use.
Optimizing the production route from factory to construction site and the use of rolled steel sections made it possible to save 6000 metric tons of embodied CO2 and reduce the overall carbon footprint. The project aims to obtain BREEAM Excellent certification.
One Centenary Way is the first building completed under phase two of Howells’ Paradise Masterplan, which will see the construction of another seven buildings, a 250-bedroom hotel, and more office, leisure, and retail spaces. Scheduled for completion in 2030, the masterplan is intended to transform the city center into a more connected and livable European-style metropolis.
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Location: Birmingham, UK
Completion: 2024
Architect: Howells
Built Area: 35,400 sq. m
Client: Federated Hermes
Developer: MEPC
Main Contractor: Sir Robert McAlpine
Consultants
Façade: Wintech
Structural and M&E: Arup
Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor: Quantem
Delivery: Ramboll, Weedons
Planning: Turley
Photography by Hufton+Crow / Greg Holmes, courtesy of Howells
