About the Project

Project Icon, Selfridges, Birmingham

Renovation of department store facade, completed in 91 weeks.

In developing a replacement facade that looked identical to the celebrated original but solved its failings – the insulation was saturated and the aluminium discs were falling off – David Hartley triumphantly met the demands of a technically challenging project with big-hitter stakeholders eager for a no-disruption scheme that would also beat the programme without budget uplift.

The poor installation of the original render – which had cracked extensively and been repeatedly punctured by abseiling cleaners – was identified as the main culprit. David proposed a hand-applied system of 15 separate layers of render, insulation, and mesh and fibreglass reinforcement that allowed 16,000 penetrations for studs to reaffix the facade’s 16,000 discs without compromising the waterpoofing. As the design was bespoke, David destruction-tested samples to ensure the new system had sufficient compressive strength and elasticity.

Equally crucial was keeping the supply chain motivated throughout – the solution was repetitive and monotonous to execute. David invested time in being physically on site engaging with the installers. By building personal connections, he created a professional environment that drove excitement in the job and a determination to get it right.

His successful scaffolding solution and striking patterned hoarding wrap also detached the department store – and the busiest set of bus stops in the Midlands alongside it – from the works and kept it fully operational. David’s quality-knockout delivery of this project snag-free and far earlier than the contract end date thrilled both client and tenant.