University of Warwick

Located on the main University campus, the Faculty of Arts is a large five-story building with a terracotta-clad exterior contrasting against a wood and exposed concrete interior.

The structure is designed as four separate towers surrounding an open central atrium. A post-tensioned concrete frame was considered the most appropriate choice for the project, due to the large spans which the client wanted to create in the building. This allowed the columns and walls to be kept to a minimum, giving the space more flexibility, and creating visual interest.

The reinforced concrete frame was designed to remain exposed and contribute to the overall aesthetic of the building. This meant that the walls were not plastered or painted. Instead, every pour was prepared accurately, much care was taken with the formwork, and each concrete mix was very important.

The final build is one which we are very proud of, due to the combination of high workmanship and tricky structural interfaces required to maintain the architect’s vision.

The building is a finalist in the 2023 Stirling Prize and won the RIBA National Award.