Silk Street
Client - Manchester Council | Project value - £2.1m | Main contractor - Rowlinsons | Architect - MCAU
Manchester needs good quality homes at a reasonable price. This is a issue that’s close to our hearts and that’s what this project for Manchester Council was all about. Working with Rowlinson’s, we brought our offsite construction and onsite finishing power to the fore to deliver 48 one and two apartments split across three blocks on Silk Street Manchester.
Scope of works
This was a project where the benefits of off-site construction sang loud and true. All aspects of the build were simplified and enhanced by the light gauge steel Metframe panels constructed offsite. After fitting the panels onsite, we provided internal finishes to the high-standard we’re known for. This included internal plasterboard, partitions, suspended ceilings, fire stopping, and Terex sprayed finishes, ensuring a robust and modern look for all apartments.
The challenges
A Compact Site Next to a Canal
The proximity to the canal and a compact site posed difficulties for traditional frame construction. Concerns were also raised about the complexity of fire stopping with a traditional steel frame. The safety of the buildings is of the utmost importance so it was a matter of finding a solution that allowed for optimal construction and a way to implement the fire sopping as efficiently as possible while prioritising safety and compliance.
A tight site for internal finishes
Each floor of each block consisted of four apartments occupying a corner each of the structures. This made material storage complicated and prevented tools and materials from being on-site before they were needed for installation and fitting.
The solutions
A light gauge Metsec frame
Instead of a traditional frame, Mansell suggested a light gauge Metsec steel frame that we could deliver off-site via our factory before fitting onsite. This method allowed for easy implementation of compliant fire stopping and because the panels were made offsite, many of the constraints of a tight site were mitigated and the build schedule delivered at increased efficiency and speed.
An optimised work schedule for the internal fittings.
We organised the work schedule ensuring the materials were ready as they were needed, not before and certainly not after. This stringent hand to mouth approach to the schedule meant that the constraints of the site could be worked with without greatly affecting the project duration.
Project impact
This project serves as a practical demonstration of offsite construction's role in creating quality, cost-effective homes. Its innovative approach successfully navigated logistical challenges, leading to the completion of well-designed social housing units. These apartments, now occupied, contribute significantly to Manchester's housing needs, offering a blend of practicality and comfort.
Mansell's focus on quality and efficiency highlights the benefits of modern construction methods in improving city living and meeting the pressing demand for accessible social housing.
