RICS Award building features Sapa façade

One Angel Square in Manchester, part of the £800 million NOMA development, is the landmark head office of The Co-operative Group and opened earlier this year.The £100 million building has a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating and incorporates a number of key environmental features. 

Covering 30,000m², the building’s exterior is constructed from Sapa’s Elegance72 unitised curtain walling system in a design made especially for the project. The double skin façade, which is one of the first in the UK, utilises a cavity between its inner windows and outer glass panel structure to help maximise passive solar gain as well as improve ventilation.

The striking exterior has a very distinctive shape, the focal point of which is a diagonal slice that has created a soaring nine storey high atrium with a glass roof titled south to maximise daylight and passive solar gain. Sapa’s aluminium structure which holds the glass panels in place has been anodised in a bronze coloured finish.

‘Our façade is key to the building’s natural heating, cooling and lighting and we’re thrilled that it’s been recognised by such an important award from RICS,’ said Jon Palethorpe, commercial director at global aluminium systems company, Sapa Building System. ‘It’s a complex curtain walling system which provides the perfect balance between performance and design, helping to create what is a truly striking addition to the Manchester skyline.’

Speaking about One Angel Square, David Tuffin, Chairman of the RICS Awards, said: ‘Bold and imaginative, it should encourage other development teams to deliver high standards of design to a demanding brief and budget. Not only does this landmark building reflect inspiring design in aesthetic terms, but the Judges were particularly impressed with the triple service core and other practical, innovative features.’

For more information contact Sapa Building System on 01684 853500 or email info@sapabuildingsystems.co.uk