Hexagon Tower Manchester, UK
Hexagon Tower is located in Blackley, North Manchester.
With easy links to road, rail and air networks, Hexagon Tower consists of 169,537 sq.ft. (15,750 sq.m) of space over lower ground, ground and ten upper floors, offering serviced offices and laboratory accommodation.
Completed in 1973, it was designed by R. Seifert & Partners for Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). The existing tower comprised of basement plus 13 storeys, and was one of four towers originally planned for ICI as a campus of research laboratories.
Fast forward to the present day and as a result of general wear and tear and weathering, the external façade of the Hexagon Tower was deteriorating in a progressive manner leading to expanses of the mini-mosaic tiling that covers the entirety of the solid portions of the façade to delaminate.
Trinity IM appointed Corstorphine & Wright to design and deliver commercially and technically appropriate proposals for the over-cladding of the mosaic-clad panels and the replacement of the glazing.
Key Design Drivers for the scheme were
- Over cladding material to be A1 rated
- Durable and sustainable
- Be sympathetic to the existing materiality and geometry of the building.
- Uniform finish and appearance
- Allow for replacement of windows internally
Our proposals are sympathetic to the original design reflecting the existing geometry where practically possible.
The existing tower facade is over-clad in high quality anodised aluminium panels which were designed to maintain the existing geometry.
Joint lines between cladding panels were designed to match the existing panels where practicably possible.
Our design ensures the existing facade rhythm is maintained, and the essence of the original facade concept is not lost.
The existing mosaics were retained all over and remain exposed in some low-level areas inside of the building, paying homage to the original materiality of Hexagon Tower.
Durability and longevity of the over cladding material were crucial for the building, making Anodised aluminium the optimum choice for Hexagon Tower.
Anodised aluminium is also fully recyclable making it a sustainable building material choice.
Awards
Winner of ‘Best use of a rainscreen system using aluminium.’
Home to occupiers including Lubrizol, Lonza, Intertek and Northwards Housing, Hexagon Tower offers modern laboratories and office accommodation, together with a variety of on-site amenities, including a newly refurbished reception area, gym and restaurant, also designed and delivered by Corstorphine & Wright.
People behind the project
