The Roundhouse, Birmingham

The Roundhouse is an iconic and much loved Birmingham landmark, sitting next to the city’s canal. Designed by local architect W.H. Ward and built in 1874 by the Birmingham Corporation, the historic Grade II* listed horseshoe-shaped building was originally used as stables and stores. For the last 10 years the majority of the building has been disused and has been steadily falling into disrepair.

The vision of the project, which marks a new partnership between the Canal & River Trust and The National Trust, is to breathe new life into the building through the application for an HLF award of £2.2million. As well as offering a base from which to explore the canal network on foot or bike, plans include a cycle hire and repair workshop, volunteering opportunities and a shared workspace facility for conservation organisations. LEDA have supported the client and architects Cowper Griffiths with renewables energy and environmental strategy, together with concept designs for a sensitive services distribution and thermal strategy. The use of the canal was explored as a source of heating via a heat pump as part of the renewables strategy.

Technical Data

Client:	National Trust and Canal & Rivers Trust
Services Provided:	Renewable energy and environmental strategy, MEP design
Dates:	Completion Summer 2018
Contract Value:	£2.2 million
Technologies and Unique Features:	Thermal strategy, heating via a heat pump, renewables strategy.