Maple have installed rainscreen cladding and expanded mesh panels to Manchester’s newest skyscraper.
The 32-storey Oxygen Towers building, named Best High Volume Housing Development 2022 at the LABC North West regional awards, is our highest-ever project. And some of the challenges will take your breath away.
We installed more than 2,700 sq m of rainscreen cladding to create a weathertight building envelope on the 109m high building in the New Islington district, with an exterior layer of expanded mesh panels adding texture and visual interest.
But long before we arrived on site, our pre-construction team had to consider the impact of wind load on the panels and fixings, and the dangers of working at height. Working closely with architects to retain their design intent, we developed innovative, pre-fabricated panels with special extrusions to make the installation as efficient (and safe) as possible.
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.”
Oxygen is located in Manchester’s New Islington district, one of the city’s most exciting up-and-coming areas. It features 12 luxury townhouses at ground level and 369 one- and two-bedroom apartments, plus a cinema room, swimming pool and gym, residents’ lounge, basement car parking and a double height reception.
