The clients brief was to refurbish a 1930s seven storey building and provide mixed use accommodation within the heart of the Manchester City Centre conservation area.The accommodation comprises of a lower ground hair stylists salon, and delicatessen with office spaces layered above. The building is then capped with a penthouse apartment forming a private residence for the client with views out over the Manchester city skyline and the River Irwell.
The existing external envelope was re-presented using the original cast iron spandrel panels and by using a W20 steel section window to reinstate and replicate the glazing to the Parsonage elevation. The re-cladding of the envelope enabled
the increase of floor area at the perimeter, thus providing additional revenue for the client. The perimeter floor infill also provides a natural void to service each of the office suites with data cabling and utility connection nodes.
The location of the existing corner entrance was examined and relocated to the more prominent Parsonage elevation. A sculpted two storey void and the insertion of a lightweight oak bridge not only bisects the wedge shaped plan giving layered views of the interior office above and lower ground commercial spaces, but rectifies the level changes as the bridge ramps from street edge to first floor level. The vertical circulation has been inserted within the existing goods lift shaft. On entry, the new staircase and lift are visible, culminating the aspect formed by the bridge void walls.