Roof revamp complete at University of Nottingham’s Grade II central building
Work has wrapped up on the refurbishment of the University of Nottingham’s Grade II-listed central building at its Castle Meadow Campus.
Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson has completed the task of removing and replacing the original PTFE roof, once described as one of the most complex in Europe, with a tensile structure made from next-gen PVDF fabric.
Designed by Hopkins Architects and Arup in 1994, the building was granted Grade II-listed status just before work began, making it one of the youngest buildings in the UK to receive the designation.
That listing added extra challenges, requiring careful attention to heritage preservation throughout the project.
The roof replacement was part of a wider overhaul that included repainting the structure, strengthening the frame, installing a new glulam mezzanine floor, and fitting a central glass roof box to bring in more natural light.
Over 5,000 bolts were replaced, 15 tonnes of glass reinstalled, and an additional four tonnes of new glass added to the façade.
Specialist contractors Base Structures and Novum Structures delivered the fabric and glazing work, collaborating with Bond Bryan Architects and Arup to bring the landmark building up to modern standards.
Adrian Grocock, managing director at G F Tomlinson said: “The Central Building project is a perfect example of how we combine innovative construction methods with heritage expertise to deliver transformative projects. The roof replacement represents a significant achievement, and we are proud to be playing a key role in extending the life of this iconic structure. Our longstanding working relationship with the University of Nottingham, spanning over more than 7 capital projects, has allowed us to contribute to the campus’s evolution and provide world-class facilities that reflect its reputation for excellence.”
Fraser Shirley, director and project manager at Base Structures said: “Having built many of the UK’s most notable fabric canopies, Base Structures fully appreciated the significance of this elegant and refined structure. The integrated tensegrity design was one of the first of its kind, making this a truly unique project.
“The fabric replacement work on the Central Building was far from straightforward, presenting an incredibly challenging task as the original builders had never intended for it to be replaced. Due to the sensitive nature of the structure, a meticulous and carefully planned methodology was essential to minimise excessive loading on its components. Significant input from Tensys Ltd was instrumental in developing this approach. The success of this project was ultimately down to the vast experience with the Tensys and Base design, project and site teams, who in collaboration with the main contractor, G F Tomlinson, carried out the works safely and seamlessly, ensuring the structure’s integrity was maintained throughout. Base Structures is proud to have played a part in extending its lifespan.”
