UMIST
WHITE HEAT
Location
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Sackville Building (Grade II listed) Vimto Park Altrincham Railway Viaduct Charles Street Car Park James Lighthill Building Renold Building (Grade II listed) Barnes Wallis Building/ Student hub/ Wright Robinson Hall Moffat Building Hollaway Sculptural Wall Pariser Building Jacksons Mill (Grade II listed) Morton Laboratory John Garside Building (Manchester Institue of Biotechnology) George Begg Building Faraday Building Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre Ferranti Building MSS Tower London Road Mancunian Way
Existing situation
Vision collage
Strategies for masterplanning
REVIVE AND RETAIN - Revival of the Medlock river within the site - Respecting the existing built heritage - Retaining the built fabric by remodelling the existing
IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY - Physical connectivity with introduction of pathways, cycling tracks, elevated bridges and restricted car access - Respecting the existing built heritage - Retaining the built fabric by remodelling the existing frames - Active ground floor frontage connected to promonade on Sackville street
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY - Democratic and social public spaces - Inclusion of activities within built and u - Cohesive ecosystem of nature and pe
CONSIDERATION OF FUTURE - Vision of the gateway to the site after the execution of HS2 in future - Consideration of multiple use of built and unbuilt according to changing needs and functions of the future
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Masterplan
Retention of existing buildings
Future connection consideration Remodelling of existing buildings
Revival of Medlock
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Sackville Building (Grade II listed) Vimto Park Viaduct Linear Park Remodelled Car Park for Workspace Innovation Zone with roof space Renold Building (Grade II listed) Revived Medlock river bank River side Renold Court Innovation Labs 5 Star Hotel Parisier building with roof space New Activated Entrance Plaza Showroom underground labs Jackson’s Mill public hall John Garside Building Remodelled workspaces Remodelled workspaces Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre Remodelled workspaces Remodelled workspaces Elevated connection to Piccadilly stn. Elevated connection between roof spaces
Site View
Building on the vision of creating an innovation district within close proximity to the city centre and an upcoming HS2 proposal, the realisation of the functions, connectivity and activity is done with respect to the existing environment that includes the built fabric containing graded structures. The strategy is to introduce activities into the ecosystem by looking at the history (with respect to revival of Medlock river and repurposing of Jackson’s mill)while preparing the experience for an enhanced working and innovating space for students, mentors, influencers, innovators and investors. The repurposing of existing buildings ensures the maintenance of the existing of vertical density (with respect to multi story buildings like Renolds, Parisier, Faraday, Ferranti and MSS tower). Introduction of public spaces that enhance the revival of the river into the site provide open spaces amalgamated with built spaces as a contrast to approaching nature while also being involved in cutting edge technology that will be created in the innovation district.
Connectivity path
Renolds building
Connectivity path
Innovation spaces
Green promonade Sackville st.
Remodelled workspace
Site Section
Piccadilly station
Elevated connected path
5 Star hotel
Connectivity path
Innovation laboratories
Connectivity path
River bank public space
Elevated Connection
With Piccidilly station and future HS2
It is the new gateway connecting NEW UMIST to Piccadilly Station and the future HS2. Through the bridge’s golden glass you will be able to glimpse the innovative potential and investment value of this place. Visitors, consumers, students and businessmen will be able to reach our NEW UMIST from this simple and efficient glass corridor bridge, or they can choose to stroll on the roof of the corridor to enjoy the unique view of the old and new buildings. The new luxury hotel can also be easily reached via the bridge.
5 Star Hotel
Luxury accomodation for current and future requirements
The new ID Manchester aims for the innovation of the future. Investors from all over are expected to enter the site which demands for a 5-star hotel for their stay. The hotel location connects the Piccadilly station through the new gateway and thus giving it good accessibility to the site. The hotel also encloses the iconic Hollaway Wall while using it as a partition between the main lobby and a cafè. The hotel acts as the transformer of the site by it being an institution space to now being an innovation district.
Jacksons Mill
Repurposing into public hall
The Jackson’s Mill is one of the oldest buildings on the site, and it is also a second grade building which makes it more important to preserve it and most of its distinct features than to demolish it. So to prolong its lifespan, we decided to open the ground floor to allow free movement and connectivity from one end to the other. We merged the top 3 floors to create a function hall which will be used for business seminars and social activists. We also merged the second and third floors together to create bigger rooms and higher ceilings for the business centre, which will be used to host meetings and exhibitions. The ground floor will serve as a reception and a cafeteria place where guests and students will be able to buy their refreshments and sandwiches, and they’ll have a choice to sit in or go outside and enjoy a breeze and the spectacular views and the sun when the weather permits.
River Court
Revival of Medlock river
The revival of the river Medlock on site is a major part of the intervention. There is an attempt to regenerate an ecosystem within the site and the city as a whole to attract flora, fauna and a vibrant riverfront for community and leisure activities. It offers several causal hang out spots, outdoor spill out areas, informal amphitheaters for gatherings, canopy seatings and links across the site. The meandering water adds to the active and organic ground frontage weaving major buildings on the site and making them approachable and welcoming. The sound of the gushing river definitely provides a soothing and positive environment to thrive in.
Innovation Labs
Spaces designed for innovation and creation
It is located in the center of the site, it functions as an innovation labs and open public spaces.
Renold Court
Public space and connectivity long the existing Renold building
The site uses a curved green space to create a rest space, combined with a waterscape, and an aerial corridor to provide aerial vision.
Viaduct Linear Park
Public space and connectivity parallel to the viaduct
It is a linear garden designed on the Altrincham street which connects Renold building, Renold court, innovation centre, hotel and viaduct.This street also overlooks into the Medlock river .The aim is to make this space more interesting and lively so green spaces and seating areas are blended with each other. Some of the activities are planned under the arches such as cafe , gym and cycle parking and the existing workshops are retained.
Vimto Garden
Redesigning the urban garden’s identity
There is one arch which act as a entrance to the Vimto garden. Vimto garden has a historical background so the statue of it is retained but the areas surrounding it is developed creating more seatout places and pathways connection between Altrincham street and the park.
Elevated Connection
Connecting the roof spaces for public use
The Roof Garden plan aims to connect three buildings and build open space for outdoor activities. Three Roofs connect through a bridge that let visitors reach the destination conveniently, allowing visitors to visit this area via roof level. The Renold building’s roof also connects with Mail, which gives visitors more options. The plan hopes to bring dynamic and variability for three buildings and this area.
Plaza Showroom
Innovation spaces within the underground level
The Plaza Showroom ID project aims to expose the University’s innovation initiatives, creating an exhibition space for the city and a connection for research. The Plaza is structured with a void , which highlights the facades of the Renold and Pariser buildings, allows distance and gives space to the river and its vegetation. An interactive wall screen brings dynamism and variability to the activities of the plaza and the Innovation district.
Workspace Buildings Remodelling existing buildings for use as workspaces
The repurposing of existing buildings ensures the maintenance of the existing vertical density (with respect to multi story buildings like Renolds, Parisier, Faraday, Ferranti and MSS tower). The workspace zones have outdoor overhanging and terrace style open spaces for planting purposes and social uses on every floor. The introduction of outdoor green balconies are done with metal channel connections and installations latched onto the existing concrete frame of the buildings for remodelling purposes. This is done to enhance the use of existing buildings and invite more activities within the vertical spaces.
Entrance Boulevard and Pavillion
A green promonade with active ground floor frontage
The current UMIST site lacks proper visual and pedestrian connections making it difficult for people coming in to have a sense of direction when approaching any particular area or a building. While ideating the Innovation District, there is an effort made to convert the site into a pedestrian-friendly zone with no vehicular intervention within the site limits. The introduction of the entrance plaza within the Pariser building complex along with converting the present Sackville street into a pedestrian boulevard is a thoughtful attempt of creating a Grand Pedestrian Entrance for people approaching the site from the Mancunian Way junction and the Sackville Street. This also adds to the idea of active ground floor frontage weaving major buildings while making the site more porous with better connectivity.
Design Aim
Ideating the existing UMIST Campus as a true innovation district where talented, driven and business-minded people come together to participate and engage in the dynamic processes of innovation, imitation, and improvement. Located in the heart of the city of Manchester, the district aims to become a hub for entrepreneurship, research, and collaboration aimed to drive a new incisive and equitable approach to urban growth.