Minerals and Physical Metallurgy Building, University of Birmingham is a Grade II listed building in the Birmingham local planning authority area, England. First listed on 30 March 1993. Academic building. 15 related planning applications.
Minerals and Physical Metallurgy Building, University of Birmingham
- WRENN ID
- idle-thatch-poplar
- Grade
- II
- Local Planning Authority
- Birmingham
- Constituency
- Birmingham Edgbaston MP: Preet Kaur Gill (Lab)
- Country
- England
- Date first listed
- 30 March 1993
- Type
- Academic building
- Address
- Minerals and Physical Metallurgy Building, University of Birmingham, Pritchatts Road, Edgbaston
- OS grid reference
- SP 048 840
- Coordinates
- 52.45404, -1.92973
- Source
- Historic England listing
Description
The Minerals and Physical Metallurgy Building at the University of Birmingham is a Grade II listed science faculty building constructed between 1963 and 1966, designed by Philip Dowson of Arup Associates. The structure features a reinforced concrete frame with glazing and red brick, topped by a flat roof.
The building consists of offset square blocks that are linked at the corners, rising three storeys. Its frame is made up of groups of four linked piers arranged at regular intervals on an orthogonal two-way 'tartan' grid plan, which is designed to accommodate service zones within the building. The elevations above the ground floor are fully glazed, featuring vertical panes set in metal frames with horizontal vents located below the ceiling level. Clusters of columns are prominently displayed between these glazed sections. The ground floor is constructed of brick and is recessed to create walkways beneath the building's edges. Additionally, square concrete roof vents are positioned above the clusters of columns.
This innovative design incorporates a four-column cluster plan based on the 'tartan' grid, allowing for flexible service runs throughout the building.
Local climate
Minerals and Physical Metallurgy Building, University of Birmingham receives an average of 780 mm of rain a year. This makes it drier than 60% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is lower than that of 76% of listed buildings.
It experiences an average of 39 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 75% of listed buildings. Of these, 19 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.
Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.
More on this building
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- Full EPC report — heating system, energy costs, size, glazing, construction etc.
- No sale records on file
- Related listed building consents — 15 applications
- Detailed attributes — period, style, materials, features
- Flood risk assessment
- Radon risk assessment
- Weather exposure and heating demand — rain and frost month by month and year by year, wind direction, solar and humidity
Matched applications, energy data and sale records are assembled automatically and may contain errors. Flag incorrect data.
Similar buildings
The closest matches to this building from all 493,000 UK listed buildings, by architecture, period and materials.
- 1 Corpus Christi College, George Thomson Building, Leckhampton House
- 2 Pathfoot Building, Stirling University Campus
- 3 Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Summerhall, Edinburgh
- 4 Central College Of Commerce, 300 Cathedral Street, Glasgow
- 5 William Robertson Building (Block C), Arts Faculty, University Of Edinburgh, 42 George Square
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Nearby listed buildings
- The Lodges, gates, gate piers and walls to Birmingham University campus, Pritchatt's Road
- Garth House
- St Clears
- Ashley and Strathcona Buildings, Birmingham University
- House in the Elms Nurseries of University of Birmingham Grounds Department
- 33, Edgbaston Park Road
- Winterbourne
- The Barber Institute at Birmingham University
- Outbuilding to the Rear of Number 6 (Mass House)
- Chamberlain Tower