Springwell Gardens

Located on Whitehall Road, within Leeds' South Bank area, the building was designed to respond to its position between the larger scale of the city centre and the lower-rise surroundings of Springwell Road. Its height increases across the site, creating a sail-like profile with a series of south-facing roof terraces.

The external elevations combine short angled facets with longer curved sections, creating a complex brickwork arrangement that required careful planning and setting out. The choice of Forterra Chidwell Multi wirecut facing bricks helped bring the design together, with warm red, orange and brown tones adding depth and variation across the façade.

The wider scheme also places an emphasis on outdoor space, with private terraces and balconies complemented by a landscaped central garden for residents.

The brickwork package comprised approximately 350,000 Forterra Chidwell Multi facing bricks, alongside 35 different types of special-shaped bricks to accommodate the building's varied elevations.

Achieving the required finish called for precise setting-out, particularly across the curved sections and shorter façade facets. Marlborough Brickwork Ltd drew on its in-house engineering expertise to establish setting-out points and maintain the vertical alignment of the brickwork, with close attention paid to the positioning of perp joints. Bricks were also blended at the workface to help maintain consistency in colour and texture.

Quality control was an important part of the installation process. Daily inspections were supported by digital quality assurance through Field View, allowing key components to be monitored and recorded throughout the works. The team also worked with Morgan Sindall, Building Control and fire inspection authorities on inspections covering the brickwork, fire barriers and non-combustible elements.

Delivered over a challenging 48-week programme, the brickwork installation used a combination of mast climbers and traditional scaffolding. The site's position on a busy main road meant materials had to be transported from an off-site compound using a just-in-time delivery approach, requiring close coordination between Marlborough Brickwork Ltd and Morgan Sindall.

As construction progressed, the brickwork advanced alongside the building's concrete frame and external envelope. By March 2023, installation had reached level seven on Block A, with the façade nearing completion by July.

The completed development brings together 223 apartments, commercial space and landscaped outdoor areas, contributing to the ongoing regeneration of this part of Leeds. Through the supply of Forterra Chidwell Multi and collaboration with the project team, Taylor Maxwell helped deliver the facing brickwork that defines the building's exterior.

Discover more of Taylor Maxwell's range of facing bricks here.