Leading building materials manufacturer Ibstock and EH Smith, the UK’s largest independent builders merchant, are calling for talented architectural designers and architectural design students to showcase their talent by producing a brand-new exhibition façade panel manufactured in Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC).
GRC is a thin-walled, lightweight composite concrete with excellent flexural capacity – making it an ideal material for structural design. Indeed, this property allows bespoke and daring features and forms to be created in a wide variety of applications.
The winning design will go on to feature in EH Smith’s brand new product showroom in Digbeth, Birmingham – an exciting new facility which looks set to become a centre for specification and architectural sales services for the West Midlands and beyond.
The entries will be judged by Ibstock and EH Smith, alongside representatives form leading architectural firm Associated Architects and RIBA. Hopeful designers have until Thursday, 19th September to submit their entries, with the winner announced on Thursday, 03rd October.
Joshua Cox, Design & Specification Manager at Ibstock, said: “We are very excited to be launching the GRC design competition in conjunction with EH Smith. It’s a fantastic opportunity for budding designers to showcase their talents with such a flexible and innovative material.
“When it comes to the winning design, we’re looking for something that packs a dynamic aesthetic punch. In particular, we want to see designs which will complement the wider look and feel of EH Smith’s new showroom in Birmingham. This is a fantastic opportunity for architectural designers, both established and currently at university, and we can’t wait to see what they have to offer.
“The inherent flexibility of GRC means designers don’t have to be limited by colours or textures, so they can really let their imagination – and their creativity – run wild!”
To learn more about the competition, and find out how you can get involved, please visit: https://www.ibstock.co.uk/grc-design-competition
