James and Taylor designs high-tech facade for Manchester College
(13/10/2009)

Cladding supplier James & Taylor has used a new concept to land the contract for a stunning aluminium façade at a Sixth Form College in Greater Manchester.

The subtle, shimmering face on the £40m project at Aquinas College in Stockport is being created using four different anodized finishes that coat both mirror polished and highly etched Senses aluminium tiles.

Architects Broadway Malyan worked with James & Taylor to develop a pattern to ensure the different finishes are distributed cohesively across the façade. James & Taylor are supplying 1,758m2 of tiles. A similar façade on Manchester University’s Michael Smith building won top honours for James & Taylor in the Power of Aluminium Awards 2008.

The College was so impressed by the university design that it commissioned a similar one for its new building.

Dr Ambrose Smith, Principal of the college said: ”We have put students at the heart of our new building. Their energy and vitality are its inspiration. We think that it will be an inspirational building for its users and will enhance the neighbourhood too.”

Andrew Barstow, Northern Regional Manager of James & Taylor said: “It is very exciting to work with architects of the international reputation of Broadway Malyan on a project of this calibre. We are confident that the Senses Aluminium design will provide a fantastic finish for the building.”

Harry Hoodless of Broadway Malyan said: “We wanted a high-tech, façade that would appear animated as visitors and passers by view the long north elevation on their approach to the college. We chose a neutral colour with varying reflective qualities to respond to the surrounding context in this way. The façade will contrast but not compete with the existing street scene and the Senses tile provided us with the perfect product to achieve our goal.”

The 3-storey building will provide first-class, spacious facilities for students and staff, with sustainability a key element of the design. It has rainwater recycling, natural lighting, and a ventilation system that exchanges heat at high levels of the building, reducing the need for conventional space heating.

It will have a wide main street with natural light flooding down through voids from the roof light above. Included are bright and airy classrooms and laboratories with improved IT provision, a new theatre, chapel, and canteen as well as new staff offices and study areas.

Mr Hoodless added: “The Senses tiles create a visually stunning building that will help raise the college’s profile in the surrounding area. This building is an important vehicle for educational and social inclusion and will increase self-esteem and confidence among staff and students alike.”