At a glance...

Willmott Dixon

Manchester

Aluminium Windows and Curtain Walling

Technal MX Curtain WallingSFS: British Gypsum

£54m

Case Study

Manchester City College Campus

Project Overview

The Manchester College City Campus is a landmark education development in Manchester city centre, delivering a centre of excellence for creative & digital industries. The scheme forms part of a wider strategy to create modern, industry-leading learning environments, with high-spec facilities including theatres, studios & specialist teaching spaces.

Situated on the former Boddingtons Brewery site, the development required a high-quality architectural response that reflected both its prominence and the aspirations of the client. The façade forms a key part of that identity, designed to present a distinctive and contemporary building that responds to the site’s industrial heritage.

The Challenge

A key challenge on this project was the level of technical scrutiny and performance requirements. Phase 1 of the scheme (delivered by others) provided a number of lessons learned for the wider project team, particularly around compliance, coordination and achieving consistent quality across the façade package.

The Solution

The focus from the outset was on ensuring that compliance, buildability & quality were embedded into the design process. Early engagement allowed us to review detailing, interfaces & sequencing, reducing risk & improving clarity across the package. By adopting a fully integrated approach to glazing & SFS, the solution simplified procurement & ensured a single, coordinated envelope package – improving both programme certainty and overall quality control.

The Outcome

A high-quality, technically robust envelope that meets the stringent requirements set out by the client, while delivering the intended architectural vision. By taking lessons from Phase 1 & applying them proactively, the team achieved a more efficient and controlled delivery, improving coordination across trades and reducing on-site challenges.

Manchester City College Campus

It was a delight to work with Team RED once again, on this challenging project. The completed campus now stands as a flagship education facility for Manchester, providing industry-standard spaces that support future generations of students, while demonstrating a strong example of collaborative delivery and quality-driven design.

Liam Eves, Project Director, Willmott Dixon

At a glance...

Manchester City College Campus

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