University of Manchester finds its place
Curtain walling, windows and doors from architectural aluminium systems supplier Kawneer have helped deliver a host of design criteria in phase one of the masterplan for the University of Manchester.
Kawneer’s faceted and non-faceted AA100 curtain walling features on a striking five-storey rotunda and glazed link block which create a welcoming ‘front door’ for the world-class teaching establishment.
The curtain walling also features within atria and, along with Kawneer’s AA602 pivot windows and series 190 heavy-duty/350 severe-duty commercial entrance doors, on two seven-storey blocks of teaching accommodation/offices at the £54m University Place.
Glazed elevations up to 32m high, more than 200 windows and large areas of faceting on a densely planned site that required special mobile and high-rise tower cranes as well as traditional scaffolding meant the project was particularly challenging for Kawneer-approved installer Anaco Systems.
The gross internal area of 31,000m² comprises a 1,000-seat semi-circular auditorium in the 35m-diameter rotunda, general teaching space, catering facilities, student services and accommodation, the School of Nursing, the Institute of Health Science and faculty office accommodation.
The teaching space and general student facilities were designed by masterplanners, architects and landscape architects John McAslan + Partners to be used for exhibitions and conferences, the total of 50 theatres and 8,000 bedrooms giving the university a new income stream.
John McAslan + Partners said: “Through planning stages, the building’s design was seen by CABE as an important, high-profile project that would not only deliver excellent educational facilities but contribute strongly to the quality of the campus’ public realm.
“JMP’s architecture has delivered an integrated, cost-effective architectural and engineering solution that is environmentally responsive, sustainable and with a high-quality finish.
“Each of the buildings was designed to attain ‘Very good’ status under the BRE’s BREEAM analysis and certification system. At each stage of the project important issues of energy consumption, ventilation approach, material choice etc were reviewed to ensure optimised outcomes.”
