Flagship hospital project

Architectural aluminium glazing by Kawneer was a “first point of call” for Halliday Meecham Architects for the £65 million new flagship Spire Hospital in Manchester.

Kawneer’s AA100 SSG (structurally silicone glazed) mullion-drained curtain walling, some of it curved on plan, features on the third-storey conference suite and is complemented by the AA100 zone-drained capped system used elsewhere including internal screens around the reception areas.

These are additionally complemented by Kawneer’s AA720 top-hung casement windows as courtyard windows, AA720 doors as internal doors at upper levels and series 190 heavy-duty entrance doors at ground level.

The systems by Kawneer were installed by approved specialist sub-contractor APiC UK for main contractor Vinci Construction, with the building receiving its first patient in January 2017.

The new hospital, which is BREEAM “Very good” rated, replaces Spire Healthcare’s old facility in Whalley Range and aspires to provide an international centre of excellence in the delivery of private healthcare and medical innovation.

Situated on the Siemens UK campus, the development is a key component in the regeneration of Manchester as an international hub renowned for science and innovation as well as medical excellence, education and conferencing.

An international conference space (where the Kawneer curtain walling is curved on plan) provides high-quality and flexible facilities for learning and innovation within a 15-minute transfer from Manchester international airport.

To rationalise the complex programme of accommodation, the elevations are designed around a regular grid and a limited palette of materials including textured concrete and aluminium panels and Western Red Cedar louvres.

A fundamental consideration of the design team was to deliver a building with strong sustainability credentials. The envelope was designed to minimise energy usage and CO2 emissions, with the scheme featuring sedum and wildflower roofs and walls, high-performance fenestration (Kawneer’s) and photovoltaic panels.

The building is defined by two principle blocks of accommodation separated by a central courtyard and feature circulation spine that forms the main distribution route within it. This element is fully glazed at both ends and forms a physical extension of the north – south pedestrian access linking to Sir William Siemens House.

The south and west elevations have been carefully layered to respond to the sun path and provide solar shading and privacy where required.