SureClad porcelain stone One Vesta Street Residential Development

One Vesta Street, Manchester

Specified by: Chapman Taylor, Manchester

Project Overview

Part of the urban regeneration success story of Manchester’s New Islington district on the edge of the city centre, One Vesta Street is a combination of 169 new apartments and three townhouses developed by Manchester Life Development Company (MLDC). Located on the site of a former iron foundry, the development boasts close proximity to New Islington Marina, the heritage of Ancoats and Manchester’s uber-cool Northern Quarter.

The eight-storey development aims to combine the essence of Manchester’s industrial heritage and its 21^st century reputation for style and individuality, in the specification.

Early engagement between with the project team secured a specification change to the SureClad^® porcelain stone facade system, which was used on every elevation.

Design Requirements

Fire safety was a clear priority for MLDC and the company stipulated the use of an A1 rated façade system so the SureClad^® porcelain stone cladding system, which is certified as Class A1 to BS EN 13501-1 for fire safety, was an ideal solution.

Switching from the original cladding specification to the SureClad^® porcelain stone facade system delivered commercial benefits and reduced the structural loading of the façade system, while also providing advantages in terms of faster installation.

It was also important that the cladding system would create a great first impression and maintain the building’s high quality, contemporary aesthetic over time.

The design for the façade involved 280 different SureClad^® porcelain stone facade panel sizes, all plotted on the façade design and required on site in line with the installation sequence. Shackerley’s ISO 9001 accredited Lancashire factories and our ability to give every panel type and consignment a unique and fully traceable barcode were beneficial for this complex design brief.

Materials Used

The SureClad^® porcelain stone ventilated rainscreen façade system was installed on every elevation in a creamy-beige 'Lopar' colourway, totalling a façade area of 5123m². The panels provide a natural, grained effect to give a limestone-like appearance to the building.

Each section of the installation involved 12 panel sizes and each configuration of 12 panels was repeated randomly across the façade.

Most of the installation was achieved using the SureClad^® Hang On system because it was more suitable for the random layout of the different panel types. However, for some areas the patented and award winning SureClad^® Access facade system was the preferred option.