The site is situated within the vicinity of a number of significant heritage assets, including the adjacent Grade II* listed Jacksons Warehouse, and the Rochdale Canal.
We created a distinctive response within a sensitive heritage context, moving away from the static rectilinear forms of traditional residential blocks towards a more layered and dynamic composition. The volumetric strategy stratifies the building into three distinct layers which each establish a dialogue and a relationship with the site and surroundings through form, materiality and character.
The lower folded and anchoring volume is shaped to respond to the canal and sets up a relationship with the immediate context of the marina, canal and Jacksons Warehouse. Its brickwork echoes the rich tones of the surrounding warehouses.
The middle, rectangular and transitional volume reinforces the historic canal edge and notion of the ‘Mill wall’ of Ancoats, established by Brownsfield Mill and Royal Mills along the Rochdale Canal. It is clad in anodised aluminium, creating an ordered and textured surface.
The upper volume is a simple box delicately balancing over the volumes below to orientate itself towards the city centre and wider context. A visually lighter form, it is composed from planar, glazed systems, which reflect the changing sky and become animated at dusk and night-time.
The design provides a mix of 1-bed, 2-bed and 3 bedroom
apartments with a range of sizes to suit an expanding local market. These are
primarily arranged to provide views of the canal and marina with south-westerly
and south-easterly aspects. The site constraints provided opportunities to
create bespoke plan types that offer a unique product within the marketplace.