The Republic

Sector

Office Building

Location

Machester, UK

Year

2023

Architects

Morris+Company

Client

FMDC

3D Illustrations

Morris+Company

Part of Manchester’s £1.4bn regeneration, this 13-story scheme includes offices and 1230m² of flexible space for potential leisure, exhibition, or entertainment uses. Floor plates range from 2200m² at lower levels to 1400m² at the top, with nearly 900m² of terraces. Designed in response to the River Medlock’s bend, its chamfered form maximizes views over a new 6.5-acre public park.

Our role was to inform the early façade design and touch base as to the potentials and limitations of different façade alternatives. In more detail:

Touch base with the Architectural intent and examine the performance of the currently considered façade configurations.
Discuss the different considered solar control mechanisms: (1) glass type, (2) glass size, (3) depth of fixed elements (protruded mullions and transoms), (4) glass frit density, and (5) movable shading. Explain their potential benefit on peak solar gains and suggest ways forward to serve both design intentions and performance.
Map a number of solutions that meet the set solar gains target: briefly report the characteristics of each solution to be discussed with the design group.