Built for Optima Community Association, Benmore was constructed using Fastbuild walls as an alternative to traditional construction to build 30 residential dwellings in the centre of Birmingham. The new homes include accommodation for residents previously housed in some of the demolished tower blocks and maisonettes in the area. Funding assistance was gained on the scheme from The Housing Corporation, who are keen to support the use of alternative construction methods.

Tenants were given the opportunity to visit the site during construction to view progress on site, engendering a sense of ownership within the future tenants. By partnering down the supply chain, all parties were able to identify changes to improve deliverability and provide cost savings. Fastbuild was chosen because of the benefits seen from its speed of construction.

The scheme design has a number of innovative features which are not necessarily achieved using some of the less flexible systems. A curved glazed facade and cantilevered roof, Eternit boarding and banded brickwork, all give the entire scheme an aesthetically pleasing, modern appearance. The flats achieved U-Values of 0.3W/m²k; and acoustic test results of 62 dntw+ctr. Fastbuild achieves excellent air leakage index/air permeability test results.

This was a new venture for Optima Community Housing and a further step in their programme of housing regeneration. Optima were keen to look further into construction innovations that would produce interesting, purposeful schemes whilst at the same time achieving cost savings and other benefits. A great deal was learned by the team from the first phase of works and by working together to solve any issues the project was a success. Structherm are working with Optima on further large scale redevelopment projects including the flagship project in central Birmingham Park Central.