The Exchange

Centenary Square, Birmingham, England

Key Facts

Client

Galliford Try

Architect

Glancy Nicholls

Programme

42 Weeks

Value

£1.3m

Scope

Knauf partitions & bulkheads
Traditional lime & modern plastering
Replicate/Repair Ashlar render
Reinstate/repair Ceilings (Fibrous)
Replicate/repair Cornices (Fibrous)
Produce/install beam case mouldings
Acoustic rafts
Glazed partitions

Completion

October 2023

The Project

In January 2020, Galliford Try approached DCL in the hope that we could partner on the refurbishment of the 1930s Municipal Bank in central Birmingham.

This project was a challenge for Galliford Try and DCL as it was different from any project the GT site team or DCL had undertaken to date. The details on this project required us to complete modern partitioning, traditional plastering, SAS raft style ceilings. historic plastering, lime plaster repairs and handcrafted cornice mouldings which included everything from reproducing two large coats of arms that were originally installed in 1933 to creating new beam case fibrous mouldings that aesthetically fitted with the original mouldings while incorporating a modern sprinkler system.

To complete this project to the level of detail and specification required, DCL had to recruit new team members with Specific experience in these conventional methods to ensure we could deliver this fantastic building.

This project was made more difficult following the Covid outbreak. Our original start date coincided with Lockdown one; however, we still managed to deliver the project to the client’s PC date.

The Exchange was a key refurbishment project completed for the University of Birmingham. A grade 2 listed building, formally the Municipal Bank headquarters was extended, refurbished, and fitted out by Galliford Try with careful attention to retain as many heritage finishes as possible. DCL were key to the success of the project, not only installing new partitions but also applying heritage plaster finishes, including re-production mouldings to original specification around the existing building. Specialist acoustic panels were also fitted by DCL to the main banking hall ceiling whilst maintaining the original lath & plaster ceilings above. The project team performed extremely well under pressure with DCL being a key team player.

Richard Price

Project Manager, Galliford Try

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