Culture, Education and Leisure

Gradel Quadrangles

United KingdomContractors: Flynn Interiors, Sir Robert McAlpine

Gradel Quadrangles - Gypsum International Trophy 2025

Project description

Described as a ‘wonderful architecture of curves in a city of straight lines’, the Gradel Quadrangles is part of Oxford University’s New College. The historical building was being refurbished and combined with a modern structure that would provide 85 rooms of luxury student accommodation.
Principal subcontractor Flynn Interiors specified a range of British Gypsum’s innovative systems. In a prime example of collaboration and proactivity, British Gypsum and Flynn Interiors worked together to upgrade the specified systems to ensure they perfectly suited the unusual curves and lines of the building, whilst providing the required acoustic and fire-rated performance.

Main information

Building size

8,000 m²

Building purpose / type

College

Building owner name

New Oxford College

Architect name

Purcell

Contractors

Flynn Interiors

Company name: Flynn Interiors

Main Representative: Andrius Jadenkus

Number of collaborators: 250

Specialties: Drylining, Ceilings

Founded in: 2020

Biography: Flynn Interiors provide their specialist services across multiple sectors, including hospitals, hotels, and flagship buildings. Their drylining and ceiling solutions have formed a key part of many projects for a range of high-profile clients and contractors, including Sir Robert McAlpine, Galliford Try, and Balfour Beatty.

Website: www.flynninteriors.co.uk

Sir Robert McAlpine

Company name: Sir Robert McAlpine

Main Representative: Dave Scott

Number of collaborators: 1900

Specialties: Construction, Infrastructure

Founded in: 1869

Biography: A family-owned construction company, Sir Robert McAlpine has designed, built and delivered some of the country’s most iconic buildings, including London’s Olympic Stadium and the Elizabeth Tower – also known as the tower that houses Big Ben. As well as construction, Sir Robert McAlpine specialises in infrastructure, project management, and the refurbishment and maintenance of heritage buildings, among many other services.

Website: www.srm.com

Key Challenges

Respecting the Architect’s Vision
The project placed a strong emphasis on preserving the elegant curves envisioned by the architects. These curves were integral to the design, reflecting a contemporary aesthetic while showcasing the natural beauty of the timber.
Structural Innovation for Curvature
To achieve this, the design incorporated a meticulously engineered metal framing system. This strong yet adaptable base provided the flexibility needed to align with the desired curvature while supporting multiple layers of fire-resistant materials.
Aesthetic and Functional Harmony
The finished product elegantly combined form and function, seamlessly integrating the structural and fire-resistant elements into the design without compromising the visual appeal.
Challenges Faced Before and During Installation
Complexity of Curved Design: Traditional fire-rated systems did not cater to curved structures, posing significant technical hurdles. Crafting the required curvature while ensuring structural integrity and fire safety required precise design and material layering.

Material Integration:Balancing the structural demands of a timber roof with fire-resistant properties was complex. The need to achieve a 60-minute fire rating added another layer of difficulty, necessitating innovative layering techniques using Glasroc boards and plywood.

Multidisciplinary Coordination: Collaboration between teams (TDC, FIL, architects, and fire consultants) was essential to align fire safety requirements with the architectural design. Extensive planning and troubleshooting ensured that the curves were preserved without compromising fire protection standards.

Installation Challenges: Implementing the layered system (metal framing, plywood, and Glasroc) required precision, particularly when working with curved geometries at high levels. Ensuring seamless integration of fire-resistant materials while maintaining the visual elegance of the curves demanded skilled craftsmanship and technical ingenuity.

Key Achievements

Perfect Finishing

Precision in Curved Surfaces:Achieving a smooth finish on curved surfaces was challenging due to multiple layers, including rigid Glasroc boards. Skilled labour was required to align layers and avoid visible seams.
Material Compatibility:Ensuring the finishing materials matched the Glasroc layers was crucial, as inconsistencies could affect adhesion and appearance. Extensive testing and careful selection of compatible coatings were essential.
Maintaining Curvature During Finishing:Precise application techniques were necessary to maintain curvature and avoid warping during finishing. Adjustments to plastering methods were made for the non-linear ceiling geometry.
Site Constraints:High-level installation posed logistical challenges, needing specialised scaffolding and tools for a flawless finish. Time constraints heightened the pressure to achieve structural and aesthetic perfection, especially as finishing is a final stage.

Innovative Solutions

First-of-Its-Kind Fire-Rated Curved Ceilings:The project introduced a custom fire-rated curved ceiling system, filling a crucial gap in the market by adapting Glasroc boards and a metal framework for fire-resistant timber roofs.
Unprecedented 60-Minute Fire Rating for Curved Timber Structures:Achieving a 60-minute fire rating for curved ceilings over timber roofs was a groundbreaking accomplishment, setting a new standard for safety and design in the local market.
Layered Construction Technique:A multi-layered approach combining metal framing, plywood, and fire-resistant Glasroc boards was introduced. This novel adaptation enhanced fire resistance and structural integrity for curved applications.
Collaborative Expertise:The solution resulted from collaboration among specialists (TDC, FIL, SRM, fire consultants, and British Gypsum), ensuring the system met local architectural and safety requirements through interdisciplinary teamwork.
Precision in Craftsmanship for Curved Finishes:The seamless curved finish achieved through innovative techniques provided an alternative to traditional straight-line fire-rated systems, inspiring new fire-safe designs in commercial and residential spaces.
Adaptability for Future Projects:The system’s adaptability for other fire-rated curved applications creates a template for future projects, making curved fire-resistant structures more accessible in the local market.

Installer impacts

The installers were instrumental in realising the architectural vision, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and precision to achieve the flawless curved design. Their expertise ensured seamless alignment of materials, from the metal framework to the Glasroc boards, preserving both structural integrity and aesthetic finesse. The flexibility and fire performances of Glasroc F MultiBoard made this job possible, and assisted installers in providing confidence in a quality finish that will last the lifetime of the building.

Enhanced Collaboration and Adaptability: Installers worked closely with architects, engineers, and fire consultants, demonstrating tenacity and flexibility to overcome challenges such as high-level curved installations and achieving smooth finishes. Their problem-solving mindset and ability to adapt traditional methods to suit the project’s unique demands were critical to success.
Commitment to Vision and Fire Safety: Despite technical difficulties, the installers upheld the artistic integrity of the design while ensuring fire-resistant components were implemented to meet the 60-minute fire rating. Their dedication, technical expertise, and teamwork exemplified the fusion of form and function required for such an ambitious project.

Collaborating Partner

The adaptability, intuition and excellent collaboration shown by both Flynn Interiors and British Gypsum should not be underestimated when it comes to the success of the project. By working together to determine how to adapt the specified systems, the teams avoided lengthy delays to the project, which was particularly important because the building had to be ready in time for the return of students.

This teamwork and the ensuing success sets an excellent precedent for the future. Not only does it demonstrate that British Gypsum has the flexibility to adapt systems when necessary, but it has helped to identify areas of improvement, which can help British Gypsum and installers avoid similar issues when specifying curved systems in forthcoming projects.

Sustainability in the project

Sustainability was a key factor in the design and build, and the results were exceptional. The project’s carbon savings totaled 775.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide, and the materials used in the substructure, superstructure and facade accounted for 732.6 tonnes of that amount.
The specially engineered timber roof solution also helped to cut the project’s carbon footprint, reducing it from 202.6 tonnes to 16.7 tonnes. Not only did it provide carbon savings, but this solution also saved time on construction; it took 12 weeks to install, whereas the originally planned reinforced concrete structure would have taken 25 weeks.
Thanks to the usage of ground source heat pumps, heat recovery systems, insulation and excellent airtightness and ventilation, the building is compliant with the Passivhaus standard. Overall, the teams’ commitment to carbon savings have earned this project Carbon Champion status from the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE).
Natural Materials and Sustainable Design – The use of timber and stone, both natural materials, further aligns the building with its local environment, ensuring that the project is not only visually appealing but also sustainable. This connection to nature helps reinforce the building’s integration into the local context, providing a sense of continuity with the surrounding landscape.