SCHOOL OF DIGITAL ARTS, MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY 21
FCBStudios took the normal LED distribution for a 4 metre x 5 metre screen model and “super-stretched it” (the normal 10-50 mm spacing expanded to 300 mm gaps). He explains that because the screen can be viewed from 100 metres away down the main route from the business school, it can be a lower resolution as it’s often seen from a distance. A variety of innovative ideas for the screen, such as playing classic computer games, or testing the digitising of fabrics in different wind conditions have already been explored by the faculty.
Programme Of the 5,600 m2 interior, Steve Wilby says: “We wanted to literally remove boundaries, so that everyone is sharing open spaces.” For example, on the east flank while some similar projects might have a collection of similarly-sized seminar rooms arranged across the floor plan, the designers “asked the university ‘do you need these rooms?’” He adds: “If we were to take the walls away, you could get one very flexible 150 m2 space, and by avoiding having the circulation, increase space by 15%.” This resulted in a pair of ‘village green’ spaces which function as collaborative, open working areas. Located at levels two and four, they provide a relief from the
black box studios, as generous open areas with large windows bringing daylight in. These spaces were originally “much smaller,” but through conversation with the client, the architects “managed to shake those out.” Their generous proportions allow them to be configured in a “multitude of ways” to suit different future needs.
The two village greens act as ‘melting pots’ where students from different disciplines can interact and share knowledge; augmented by further ‘collab modules.’ The building is designed so that seminar rooms and studios for different disciplines are located next to each other, “so you get those interactions, incorporating thoughts from other parts of the school, such as fashion and fabrics,” says Steve Wilby. A double-height ‘digital hall’ at ground floor provides informal break-out space alongside a café, foyer, screening room and exhibition space which support the specialised studio spaces. It also provides some ‘passive supervision’ externally for students with a light wall which projects light out to the pedestrian area through the glazing. There’s a gallery space on the perimeter, which can be connected to the entrance area for college events such.
FLEXIBLE GALLERY
The building includes a flexible gallery space around the ground floor's perimeter, which can be connected to the entrance area for events Images © Hufton + Crow
ADF OCTOBER 2022
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
