Leading tile supplier Solus Ceramics adds style to Sheffield University’s very own Diamond building with the use of its elegant Jurastone range.
Named after its unique appearance, The Diamond building is the new home for undergraduate engineering students at The University of Sheffield, providing world-class facilities for students and academics.
The impressive 19,500 square metre building, designed by Twelve Architects and constructed by Balfour Beatty, is the largest capital investment in teaching and learning ever undertaken by the University. Boasting specialist engineering laboratories, lecture theatres, large-scale flexible teaching spaces, workshops, and a learning resource centre, the Diamond building is a fantastic addition to the university campus.
At the heart of the building in the central atrium, sit floor tiles from Solus Ceramics’ Jurastone range, boasting a charming asymmetrical aesthetic complementing the curved steel pods of the atrium.
Mimicking the elegance of natural stone, Jurastone is populated with a multitude of tonal variations with subtle swirls. When fitted across a large area the tiles showcase individualistic features that work in harmony to create a captivating ambience.
Hannah Baker, Project Architect at Twelve Architects, said of the project: “The external appearance addresses the client’s desire for a landmark building. The anodized aluminum and triple-glazed façade draws inspiration from the detailing of the surrounding historic buildings, making reference to ‘cellular automation’, a discrete model studied in engineering and used by the University to describe how the microstructure of steel changes during processing.
“Part of the brief was to develop a solution that symbolises a progressive approach to sustainable building design. The building is used as a teaching tool, allowing close monitoring, recording and an understanding of its energy usage.
“Internally, a public route at ground floor level accesses the first floor main central atrium, where Jurastone is used, enabling people to view the showcase engineering activities being undertaken.
“We selected Solus Ceramics’ Jurastone tiles from the Natural range not only for its aesthetic qualities but because it met the clients needs of the industry standard M40 specification, with its non-slip and durable qualities. The matt finish complements the full-height glazing that maximises internal views whilst roof lights flood the interior with daylight, allowing natural light to penetrate throughout the atrium whilst creating acoustic separation.”
Pete Toule, Area Sales Manager at Solus Ceramics, said: “The Diamond was a fantastic project to work on making an architectural statement within both the educational sector and the region.
“The characteristics of Jurastone makes the range a great choice for large public areas like The Diamond, creating a solid foundation that presents great impact without detracting away from the stunning architecture.”