accomplishment
2018–2020
investor
Renaker Build Limited
architect
SimpsonHaugh and Partners
type of construction
unitised façade
project volume of the facade
20–40 mil €
Downtown Manchester pulses with trade, culture, and leisure activities. The same spirit will be introduced into the Castlefield district with a 21-storey tower in 2020. Another tower with 51 floors and 152 meters high will follow one year later. In addition to one- to three-room flats, the buildings will offer a broad spectrum of services to local inhabitants. Sipral will supply complete envelopes for both Crown Street buildings, including terraces on higher floors.
At the beginning of the project, the British investor Renaker set out to revitalize the area between Chester Road and Mancunian Way, which was mainly covered by parking lots. They approached architects from SimpsonHaugh and Partners, who came up with an ambitious project of two towers on a “connecting podium”. In addition to 664 housing units the non-residential units will house a swimming pool, a fitness centre and a community garden as well as, among other things, a general surgery and a primary school in the podium level.
The envelopes of both buildings consist of more than 7,000 units. Transparent and opaque glazed parts are combined with almost 2,500 opening windows. On the exterior side they are covered with perforated anodized metal sheets with a specific pattern. The overall appearance of the façade is enlivened by a regular system of horizontal and vertical segments formed by recessed anodized sheets.
Terraces on the upper floors are made of glazed units providing residents with unique views. The modular façade is completely structural – outer glass panes, windows and sheets are bonded to the profiles with a special certified technology. A combination of five different shades of the anodized surfaces of visible aluminium sheets and profiles will be used for the project. The surface treatment, which must meet strict quality requirements, is carried out in Germany, specific colours are applied in England.
Sipral has designed the complete façade in 3D and the units are produced on a partially automated production line. Thanks to this line it is possible to achieve the required daily production volume.