A sustainable modern office building in Manchester’s civic core.

The site is located within the Upper King Street Conservation Area. The existing building comprises a 1970’s concrete building behind a beautiful Victorian façade. Following a rigorous study of the existing condition the 1970’s structure was deemed incompatible with current office requirements.

The projects scope therefore became designing a modern sustainable office whilst integrating the retention of the historic Grade II listed façade.

The project provides circa 55.000 sqft of sustainable Grade A office space, over 8 storeys.

A reduction of embodied energy and operational energy have informed the design of the building. Thermal mass on the floorplates together with a mixed mode ventilation strategy are utilised. The scheme will be naturally ventilated through a series of perforated metal panels integrated within the façade. The existing car park basement will be re-imagined into a bike store, gym, and yoga studio.

Several roof terraces will allow access to fresh air for occupiers and act as architectural devices to step back the massing.

The new building form is a deliberate contemporary design, with a clear vertical order, as referenced in many of the adjacent historic buildings. A simple material palette of glass and anodised metal cladding is proposed. The facades have a horizontal and vertical proportion which is in sync with the repetitive proportions of Fountain Street and Spring Gardens.