Manchester’s Viadux building has won two prestigious awards from the Institution of Structural Engineers, recognising the innovative design principles employed by Renaissance Associates Ltd.
The 40-storey tower, built over and through a Grade II-listed viaduct behind Manchester Central, claimed the titles of ‘Most Innovative Project’ and ‘Large Project’ at the North West Regional Group Structural Awards 2024. The project was praised for its cutting-edge solutions to the unique challenges posed by the site.
Appointed post-planning in 2019, Renaissance was tasked with improving buildability, optimising the structural frame design, and addressing key constraints that impacted the development.
The challenge of designing and constructing a high-rise while repurposing the viaduct at ground level was central to the building’s structure. Ensuring the protection and incorporation of the historic listed asset, alongside maintaining full operation of the viaduct’s service yard during construction, required a highly collaborative approach between the design and construction teams.
Given that tall buildings often carry a carbon premium, Renaissance made significant efforts to reduce the building’s embodied carbon, while ensuring efficient use of floor space.
Located on Great Bridgewater Street, Viadux is an exclusive residential development consisting of 375 one- and two-bedroom apartments, situated on a 300 sqm site.
With a construction value of £87m, the tower is visually distinguished by its bifurcating columns above the viaduct podium, which support the structure and are now enveloped by the building’s mirrored and angular façade.
The project team included Salboy (client), SimpsonHaugh (architect), Artal (quantity surveyor), DOMIS Construction (principal contractor), Mayo Civils (specialist sub-contractor), A² Studio (ground engineering consultant), and Ridge Associates (building services consultant).
Kevin Gilsenan, director at Renaissance, attended the awards ceremony with colleagues from the Renaissance team. He said, “Viadux has been one of our most exciting and rewarding designs, requiring innovation at literally every step.”
“This was far from a typical development. The new tower had to be integrated into the fabric of the 150-year-old, Grade II-listed railway arches, which required respect for both the history and integrity of the heritage asset.”
“We are extremely proud of the many colleagues who worked on this project, which demanded true collaboration to achieve the necessary engineering agility.”
The North West Regional Group Structural Awards 2024 took place on Friday, 20 September 2024. Renaissance was also shortlisted for its work on Stockport Interchange, now known as ‘Oculus’.
Renaissance, which employs over 35 people, has consulted on numerous prominent heritage projects across the UK in its 12-year history, including the award-winning Ashton Old Baths, The Press Glassworks, and Old St Chad’s.
ENDS
Image: Viadux under construction. Owned by Renaissance with credit to Heiss Rourke Photography.