Angel Square by 3D Reid.

The pioneering industrial city of Manchester, long past its prime as the capital of cotton, is rediscovering its mojo through interesting and sustainable architecture.

This head quarter office building, part of a mixed use development that includes retail and residential, sits squat and powerful next to a tower in a defiant kind of way; something like an ugly, powerful, but lovable bull dog might sit at its master's feet.

That is not to say the building is ugly, far from it, but it is powerful and it exudes a kind of attitude that is entirely appropriate for its setting and its client, The Co-operative. They hang their hat on their sustainability and ethical credentials.Designed by 3D Reidit was intended that it would consume 50% less power than the client's existing HQ building and achieve a reduction of 80% carbon. Its success in this regard has seen it win several awards for sustainability.

The tactics employed for energy saving include a central atrium that supports the stack effect and drives the natural ventilation system. There is also a high thermal mass from exposed concrete, helping to maintain internal temperature stability. The Co-operative's own farmers supply the rape seed oil to power the CHP plant and any excess energy is fed back into the grid.

 

Gratitude to AEC Cafe.