Transforming a prestigious office building into a welcoming modern workspace.
Located at the heart of Spinningfields, 2 Hardman Street has a vibrant history steeped in Manchester’s industrial past. An extensive refurbishment began in late 2020 to transform the building into a state-of-the-art modern workspace.
The ground floor has been re-imagined as a relaxed and welcoming environment, with a coffee bar, co-working and informal meeting spaces. The design is centred around the needs of the user, flexible working and sustainability. The refurbished basement now houses a yoga studio and cycle storage, showers and changing rooms, to promote green travel.
Sector
Commercial Offices
Size
67,000 sq ft
Client
HANSAINVEST
Gallery
BREEAM
“Very Good” Rating
EPC
B Rating
Crookes Walker were appointed to provide MEP design for the refurbishment, which included the reception area, new wellness facility in the basement and CAT A design to the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th floors.
Replacement of the mechanical and electrical systems provided a good opportunity to increase efficiencies throughout the refurbished areas, whilst also better serving the needs of a modern, flexible work environment.
Sustainable Services
The lighting system utilised some of the highest lumen per watt efficacies available, and featured sophisticated sensor controls to optimise light levels in different areas throughout the day, to minimize energy wastage.
The aging 4 pipe fan coil system was replaced with a highly efficient all electric heat pump solution with heat recovery, eliminating gas usage and the associated emissions from the refurbished areas. A high efficiency Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery unit (MVHR) was installed in the new reception area to replace the old Air Handling Unit which provided no heat recovery.
Minimal water consuming low flow fittings were specified by the interior designer, with sensor operated taps and flush devices. These were combined with flow control devices to isolate water supply until occupancy to avoid wastage from leaks.
A robust suite of electrical and water sub-metering was specified and installed in compliance with CIBSSE TM39, enabling the occupants to monitor usage.
Circular Economy Considerations
Ductwork, pipework and electric containment were re-used wherever possible to reduce embodied carbon and divert wastage from landfill. CWC also specified manufacturers and products that can be repaired or refurbished at component level, to avoid wastage during and at end of life. The majority of the specified lighting components were British manufactured, which have a lower carbon footprint compared to imported lighting, and from manufacturers working towards becoming operationally net zero.
The energy performance certificate (EPC) was improved from a ‘D’ to a ‘B’ asset rating, and the design and installation achieved a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.
The result is a state-of-the-art building which is prepared for the future of modern working.
Awards
Mixology North22 Awards: Project of the Year: Positive Impact – Nominated
Northern Design Awards 2022: Amazing Space – Nominated
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