Member Article

Work begins on first new building at Manchester Science Partnership campus

Work has just started on-site to construct the first new building on Manchester Science Partnership’s central corridor campus since the completion of its new master plan by the BDP Manchester Studio last year.

Designed by BDP, the 70,000 sq ft centre for science and technology businesses is set within the centre of the site at the heart of Manchester’s knowledge quarter and is the first phase of a strategy to triple the current provision of 350,000 sq ft over the next decade.

Inspired by the DNA sequence, BDP Architect Director Gary Wilde has created a varied ‘bandwidth’ appearance to the north and south elevations, created by horizontal linear windows which punctuate the elevations’ brick-clad ‘blocks’.

The proposed building provides workspace accommodation over four floors of 16,146 sq ft, each of which are accessed from the central atrium space.

BDP workplace team leader in Manchester, Mr Wilde, said: “The Heart of the Park will see an intensification of the existing assets at MSP within the science and technology sectors.

“The building is conceived as a solid ‘brick clad’ block sitting atop a lightweight transparent plinth.

“The upper block of accommodation is then split into two halves – like the two halves of a shell which are pulled apart to reveal the gateway entrances into the building and providing views into the spaces beyond.”

Associate commercial director at Manchester Science Partnerships Thomas Renn, said: “With works now commencing on-site, it is an incredibly exciting time for the team and customers at MSP.

“Our aim for the ‘Heart of the Park’ is to maximise opportunities to connect the MSP community, supporting engagement and collaboration.

“We see the design of the building, complemented with the right amenities, embedded technology and our programme of business support and social events as key to achieving this.”

Bounded by existing Williams House and Kilburn House, the building will act as a strong gateway to the site from the University campus and Oxford Road.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .