Working in partnership with EH Smith Cannock, Traditional Brick and Stone supplied over 80,000 Maranello facing bricks for the Cradley Heath Skills Campus, a landmark a £9.3 million further education and vocational training facility in the West Midlands.
Developed by The Sandwell Colleges and funded through Sandwell Council's Towns Fund Programme, the campus on Lower High Street, Cradley Heath officially opened in January 2026. The Maranello brick was selected to deliver the striking contemporary appearance demanded by this high-profile project.
Why Maranello Facing Bricks Were Chosen
Maranello facing bricks were chosen for their proven durability and high-quality finish. At Cradley Heath Skills Campus, multiple bond patterns and cut brick specials allowed the design team to achieve striking, visually dynamic elevations — a hallmark of contemporary educational architecture.
The Maranello provides:
Aesthetic versatility — suitable for multiple bond patterns and decorative brickwork detailing, and feature brickwork on large commercial buildings.
Special shaped bricks — bespoke bricks cut to various shapes, allowing complex geometric features and refined visual accents. Ideal for architects seeking design flexibility without compromising on material quality.
Proven performance on education projects — a recognised brick choice for schools, colleges, and training facilities across the West Midlands, Black Country and wider Midlands region.
Visual impact at scale — With over 80,000 bricks supplied, consistent colour and texture across the entire build was essential to achieving a high-quality finished result.
The Project
The campus was designed as a purpose-built training and skills facility, developed through close collaboration between The Sandwell Colleges, Sandwell Council, the Rowley Regis Town Board, and regional contractor Speller Metcalfe. the project is one of the most significant further education investments in the Black Country in recent years.
The new building's makes a bold statement: structural brickwork forms the primary facade material, complemented by a full-height glazed lightwell and expansive views across the surrounding parkland. The choice of Maranello bricks gives the building a warm, grounded presence while supporting the contemporary design language throughout.
Internally, the campus provides industry-standard workshops for construction, engineering, plumbing, electrical installation, and carpentry; a specialist social and domiciliary care hub with simulated home care environments; flexible digital and computing suites; and accessible community spaces designed to reduce barriers to participation.
Maranello Bricks: A Popular Choice for Education Projects in the West Midlands
The Cradley Heath Skills Campus reinforces the Maranello brick's growing reputation as a preferred specification for education buildings across the Black Country and wider West Midlands. Its flexibility in design application — from standard coursing to complex cut specials and varied bond work — makes it well-suited to the demands of contemporary institutional architecture. The Maranello is also widely specified for civic buildings, community centres, hotels and other commercial developments across the region.
As a trusted facing brick supplier to architects, specifiers, and contractors across the Midlands, Traditional Brick and Stone offers expert guidance on brick selection, bond patterns, and large-volume project supply.
Planning a large commercial project in the West Midlands? Get in touch with Traditional Brick and Stone to request Maranello samples, check availability, or discuss your project requirements.
