A new independent film hub and visual arts centre in Manchester has been created using curtain walling products from Reynaers for its impressive façade.
Home, situated on the Manchester’s First Street, is a joint venture between Ask Developments and Manchester City Council, made possible due to funding from the European Union.
The external cladding and roofing work on the building was carried out by Prater, who installed a total of 51 units of Reynaers’ CW 50 curtain walling product, in addition to 68 Reynaers’ CS aluminium windows.
Reynaers worked on the project throughout the prefabricated stages to help ensure the system allowed for building movement and live loads.
It was important that the façade was in-keeping with lead architect Ernst ter Horst’s brief for a building of the highest quality which would present itself as ‘warm and welcoming’. The architect was inspired by ideas of ‘filling the building with life and the playful interaction with daylight’.
It was also within the architect’s vision to ensure a strong connection between the inside and out of the building. To achieve this, Netherlands-based architects Mecanoo International developed a dramatic cantilevering prow to mark the front entrance to the building and provide shelter for an external café terrace.
The building set itself apart form the adjacent development with a triangular shape combined with soft, curved corners and elevations articulated to protect against solar gain.
