Maple’s highest-ever project has reached new heights – by being named Best High Volume Housing Development 2022 at the LABC North West regional awards.
First however, we had to overcome many challenges to turn the architect’s vision into buildable and award-winning reality.
Our design team led a collaborative pre-construction phase that focused on the impact of wind loads on the panels and fixings, and the dangers of working at height. The result was innovative, pre-fabricated panels with special extrusions that made installation as efficient as possible on the 109m high apartment building.
Main contractor Russell WBHO delivered the £80m project, which was designed by Jon Matthews Architects. Accepting the LABC award on behalf of the whole team, project director Richard Sumner said: “Oxygen was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone involved.
“We not only came together to deliver a stunning new residential neighbourhood, but we did so during unprecedented times. I will always be incredibly proud of the whole project team’s success in keeping the site open and productive throughout two years of Covid and delivering a product which, without compromise, fulfils our client’s vision completely.”
Maple installed more than 2,700 sq m of rainscreen cladding to create a weathertight building envelope, with expanded mesh panels on top providing texture and visual interest.
Oxygen houses 369 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 12 townhouses, a spa with 25m pool, a fully-equipped gym, spin and yoga studio, cinema room, residents’ lounge, basement car parking and a double height reception.
The project will now go forward to the Local Authority Building Control national awards.
