- Project
- Hilton Square, Northern Quarter, Manchester
- Type
- Small Office Units
- Status
- Completed 2010
- Awards
- RIBA North West Winner, Office Category
This development in the Northern Quarter area of Manchester is intended to provide affordable, quality office space to let to follow the uses of the existing grade ll listed buildings on the site, which form part of the Stevenson Square Conservation Area.
The proposed units are informed by and reflect the typology, scale and grain of those buildings, each being three storeys high, 5m wide, self-contained and with direct access from the street.
The building seeks to reinforce the urban block by continuing the back of pavement building line of the existing, with a landscaped courtyard to the rear enhancing the setting of the adjacent listed buildings and a ‘brown’ roof to encourage eco-diversity.
The appearance of the new building emerges as a contemporary re-working of the existing terrace block typology and is reflected in the elevation as the loadbearing masonry cross walls are expressed externally.
Between these cross walls the street elevation is glazed to allow maximum daylight penetration and views out with the ground floor glazing complemented by solid timber panels incorporating flush entrance doors.
The layering of these various elements within the façade provides a depth and richness to the street elevation and allows the new building to sit comfortably in its immediate setting and enhance the character of the Conservation Area.