Project Description

Awarded by Morgan Sindall, Cidon were appointed for concrete works package to the nine-storey Arts and Media facility, part of the Manchester Metropolitan University. The site was located on the former Mabel Tylecote Building on Oxford Road, Manchester.

The 96,000 sq. ft. development became home to the new poetry library, the prestigious Manchester Writing School, and the 180-seat auditorium for Manchester School of Theatre productions.  The auditorium was part of an exciting Multimedia Journalism programme with in-house TV and radio studios;. This nine-storey structure connects the grade-II listed Grosvenor Building – home to The Holden Gallery – and provided space to exhibit items from the University’s many special collections.

A large percentage of the formed faces in this project were specified as fine finish architectural concrete. This required a high level of quality  control from mix design and batching, to formwork detailing and reinforcement fixing, through to placement of concrete. Cidon demonstrated their experience with a portfolio of previously completed schemes with similar exposed concrete requirements.

Planning ahead for craneage requirements on this scheme was crucial, with two tower cranes in operation on site. From week 37 through to 53 of the programme, the use of the tower cranes was shared with the structural steel subcontractor, requiring strategic planning of activities to maximise the use of shared plant.

Unique Features

  • Fine finish architectural concrete.
  • Restricted site with access points located in the heart of the University campus.
  • The project covered the entire footprint of the site, causing careful planning with storage and delivery schedules for all materials.
  • Shared use of the tower cranes from week 37 through to week 53 of the programme.