27 May 2008
Reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable design, the Manchester office of WYG is providing structural engineering design on a pioneering new £65m highly sustainable educational development in Manchester.
Appointed by Manchester Metropolitan University, consultants to the built, natural and social environment, WYG, is part of a team that includes architects Feilden Clegg Bradley, services engineers Faber Maunsell and quantity surveyors Rider Levitt Bucknall.
Based at the All Saints campus on Oxford Road, the project comprises the construction of a new nine storey 20,000 sq metre business school and student hub for the university. The diamond shaped structure consists of three ‘wings’ of varying height linked by glazed atria. There will also be glazing applied to the façade of the building which reacts to the changing patterns of light and producing prism type effects within the building.
In keeping with the university’s aspirations for a highly sustainable building, ground source heat pumps, rainwater recycling equipment, exposed structural for thermal mass and photovoltaics on the roof are being incorporated to ensure the building’s excellent BREEAM rating is achieved.
Anthony Fuller, director at WYG’s Manchester office said:
“It is fantastic to be part of this innovative and highly original concept and a real coup for WYG. The green features utilised in the creation of this building will ensure the university is at the forefront of sustainable design."
“Drawing on our past experience in the educational sector and in particular with Manchester University where we have previously worked on the Core Technology Facility and the Chemistry Building, we have been able to overcome a number of challenges such as the site being in a city centre location, close to a major trunk road and other student facilities which will need to remain operational throughout the construction.”
Once completed, the building will house more than 5,000 students and 250 staff from Manchester Metropolitan University’s Business School providing cross faculty student services, teaching space, as well as cafes and social learning zones. Building work will start in 2009 and be completed by 2011.
Paul Cleworth, project manager for the scheme, added:
”As one of the most popular business schools in the UK, this new facility not only forms an important strand of the university’s strategic investment plans but also promises to be one of the most sustainable developments in the city."
“With the implementation of the green design features the structure totally supports Vice Chancellor Professor John Brook’s view that large institutions have a moral duty to go beyond the environmental standards of the Rio Declaration.”
