'Making It' Discovery Centre, Mansfield, UK

Finding new uses for Victorian iron framed buildings often requires imagination and in the case of the old Mansfield Brewery a solution was found in the form of an interactive 'discovery centre' where younger children can learn how the things around them in everyday use are made.

The designer needed to retain and express the old cast iron columns and plated wrought iron beams whilst integrating new steelwork where required. The minimal thickness requirements of the Firebreak product allowed the sharp angled detail of the column heads and the riveted beams to be expressed whilst the required fire protection was being achieved. Old ironwork together with new steelwork were finished with the same 'red lead' effect topseal which, coupled with the extensive use of old exposed brickwork, gives a true period look to the building.