Case Study

Oxford Brookes Tech Faculty

Headington, Oxford

 

The Faculty of Technology is a visionary building in a striking, dark grey zinc finish with spectacular soffits, set in a parkland conservation area on Headington Hill.  

The futuristic, 3-storey Teaching Block provides a new home for Oxford Brookes’ Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment. The block includes faculty offices, a restaurant and a central atrium linking teaching spaces and workshops.

The original scope was a traditional facade build-up with a rainscreen system fixed back to a ‘strong back’ sinusoidal sheet with bracketry, rainscreen slab insulation and a breather membrane. A²O proposed carrier panels as an ideal base surface for the standing seam, fast-track construction. The carrier panels were adopted by the main contractor as a more effective solution.

Kingspan K-Roc Karrier panels provided a stone mineral wool insulation core, while creating a weathertight building envelope early on in the build programme

The original finish proposed was zinc standing seam. A²O put forward the Prefalz ppc aluminium system, which is more pliable, easier to work with and rust-proof.

Photo Credits: Steve Winkworth, AIR Solutions Group.

WILLMOTT DIXON

"I was very happy to have A2O on site at Oxford Brookes, given the proven track record with Willmott Dixon and success of previous projects.

A2O were quick to propose using Kingspan carrier panels rather than SFS, which provided quicker installation times and significantly reduced the number of cavity fire barriers required.  This option gave us opportunity on the programme to get weather-tight sooner, releasing the internal trades. 

We hold collaborative planning in high regard at Willmott Dixon and A2O were completely engaged with the envelope partners and groundworkers to ensure we all worked together and planned for success.

The PREFA standing seam facade was finished on time, on budget, defect-free and with a very happy customer. 

The building looks fantastic and is currently up for multiple awards including Project of the Year at the 2025 Building Awards."

John HIll
Senior Project Manager

Challenges

The building was to be futuristic, with the use of modern technology and methods of working.

The fast-track programme was tough to meet with a traditional wall build up, as the building had to open in time for the Autumn term.

Zinc standing seam was specified, however it is not the most malleable option available.

Oxford Brookes set forward-thinking sustainability target credentials for the building.

The U-value goal was a demanding 0.13W/m2K, lower than the average 0.15-0.20W/m2K.

The project aimed to avoid diesel-fuelled plant, using low operational carbon alternatives.

Health & Safety was a priority in the installation of the extra wide soffits and standing seam.

It was important to give back to the local community and find a way to make a difference.

Solutions

A²O proposed composite carrier panels, with insulation included, to fast-track the install.

Carrier panels provided a strong back, in place of bracketry, rainscreen slab insulation and weather proofing, speeding up the install by around 25%.

A²O proposed Prefalz, an aluminium standing seam with zinc coating, easier and quicker to work with.

A²O worked closely with the main contractor to meet U-Value and operational carbon targets.

300mm insulation within the carrier or sandwich panels helped achieve the 0.13W/m2K U-Value.

HVO-fuelled and electric plant were used for the MEWPS, telehandlers and other plant.

The standing seam installers are highly experienced at working at height.

A²O joined the main contractor in contributing to The Oxford Gatehouse helping the homeless.

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