SimpsonHaugh and Partners

Since the practice was founded by Rachel Haugh and Ian Simpson in 1987, it has compiled an impressive portfolio of award-winning projects. It originated from a shared belief in the power of high quality design to lead the regeneration of post-industrial cities and initiate new contemporary architectural identities. Main themes are urban renewal, sustainability and design excellence with the aim of designing buildings and spaces that would be appropriate, inspirational and beautiful. While the success of its completed work and growing reputation for design integrity has allowed the practice to expand, Rachel and Ian remain personally involved in each project. Consequently, the inspiration in design and the attention to detail in construction that have stimulated the achievements of the practice so far will continue to guide its schemes in the future.

Crown Street Phase 2 - C4 Tower "The Blade"

The Blade: a new icon on Manchester skyline

Project Specs

Location: Manchester
Contractor: Renaker Build Limited
Status: ongoing

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Technology

SYSTEMS

Tower: SSG units alternating triple glazing vision units, enamelled DGU spandrel panels with varied grey tones, anodised perforated aluminium purge vents. West and East elevations featuring light grey enamelling, North and South elevation featuring dark grey enamelling. Furthermore, South elevation integrates projecting horizontal and vertical aluminium fins.

Podium: toggle façade with external anodized fins and perforated sheet spandrel panels.

Designed by

SimpsonHaugh and Partners Architects

Crown Street Phase Two consists of two residential 51-storey towers, along with a new city centre park and other public structures.

The towers have been designed to provide large apartments and high quality spaces to live, with breathtaking views over the city.

The towers, set at the same height as the adjacent Elizabeth Tower, create a gateway cluster on this key southern approach to the city. The plan form and massing vary to create a composition of three linked but contrasting buildings.
The scheme is part of the wider redevelopment of Great Jackson Street are on the edge of Manchester City Centre.

Tower C, also called The Blade, is centrally positioned and it has been designed to present a slender profile to the park, allowing the maximum amount of sunlight between the buildings into the public realm.