Manchester’s Viadux building has received two awards from the Institution of Structural Engineers in recognition of the forward-thinking design principles adopted by renaissance Associates Ltd.
Recipient of the ‘Most Innovative Project’ and ‘Large Project’ awards at the North West Regional Group Structural Awards 2024, this 40-storey tower - built over and through a Grade II-listed viaduct at the rear of Manchester Central - was noted for its innovative approaches in dealing with the unique site constraints.
renaissance was appointed post-planning, in 2019, with a brief to improve buildability, rationalise the structural frame design and challenge key constraints impacting the proposed development.
The complexities of designing and constructing a tower whilst re-purposing the viaduct structure at ground floor level have shaped the structural form of the building. To safeguard and incorporate the existing listed asset into the scheme and maintain full operation of the service yard to the top of the viaduct during the construction phase required a fully collaborative approach between the design and construction teams.
Because tall buildings usually have a carbon premium, renaissance also made particular efforts to reduce the building’s embodied carbon, whilst also adhering to floorplate efficiencies.
Situated on Great Bridgewater Street in central Manchester, Viadux is an exclusive residential development comprising 375 one- and two-bedroom apartments, on a 300 sqm site.
With a construction value of £87m, the tower was characterised during construction by the striking bifurcating columns (divided into two columns or forks) above the viaduct podium which support the tower and now shrouded by the architectural mirrored and angular façade.
The complete project team comprises Salboy (client), SimpsonHaugh (architect), Artal (quantity surveyor), DOMIS Construction (principal contractor), Mayo Civils (specialist sub-contractor), A² Studio (ground engineering consultant) and Ridge Associates (building services consultant).
Kevin Gilsenan, director at renaissance, attended the award ceremony, alongside colleagues from the renaissance team.
“Viadux has been one of our most exciting and rewarding designs, requiring us to innovate literally every step of the way,”
he said.
“Far from a typical development, the new tower needed to be integrated into the fabric of the 150-year-old, Grade II-listed railway arches, requiring respect of both the history and integrity of the existing heritage asset .
“We are extremely proud of the many colleagues who worked on this project, which required true collaboration to achieve the necessary engineering agility.”
The North West Regional Group Structural Awards 2024 took place on Friday 20 September 2024. renaissance was also shortlisted for its work on Stockport Interchange, now known as ‘Oculus’.
Employing upwards of 35 people, renaissance has consulted on a wide range of other prominent heritage projects across the UK over its 12 years, including the award-winning projects of Ashton Old Baths, The Press Glassworks and Old St Chads.