ABSTRACT
Glenn Howells Architects have designed a contemporary, “Grade A” office building at 125 Deansgate in the Manchester city centre (UK). Deansgate is an historical, commercial street connecting the city north to south. The vertical proportions of the building are controlled by introducing a horizontal sill and spandrel panel at the slab lines, to contrast with the powerful, vertical piers. The important urban intersection on the southwest corner is further reinforced at the base with a double height colonnade opening toward Spinningfields Square. As with Deansgate, the designers sought to harvest the maximum amount of daylight for the interior spaces. The lightweight steel girder system, with moment joints, freed the exterior for a broad expanse of glass. At Deansgate, the terra cotta is no longer required to fireproof the steel, as that is accomplished with intumescent coatings and gypsum cladding.
