Manchester Civil Justice Centre (MCJC)
The 15-storey steel framed building is the biggest court complex built in the UK since London's Royal Courts of Justice in Queen Victoria's reign, providing 34,000m2 of accommodation. The structure has been praised for looking modern and accessible as well as linking seamlessly with surrounding buildings.
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Completed - August 2005
The building won the 2007 Green Major Project of the Year Award.
Key points/benefits:
A natural ventilation system with a mechanical back-up was requested,and the structure's design allows air to be taken in through vents at the side of the atrium and circulated throughout the building. A perforated veil also helps reduce cooling load energy consumption by 20 per cent.
The complex design required close co-operation between steelwork contractor and the rest of the design team, enabling any areas which potentially posed a problem to be resolved before fabrication. The building is conceived as 'layered' with different degrees of transparency. The finger-like pods cantilevered from both ends and striking atrium, along with the perforated metal cladding veil make the building appear as if suspended in mid-air. The combination of steelwork with fully glazed facades allows for plentiful natural daylight.
Having topped out in July 2005, the main structure was completed in August 2005 and the building was officially opened October 2007.
Fact file
Main client:
Allied London Properties
Architect:
Denton Corker Marshall
Design and build contractor:
Bovis Lend Lease
Structural and services engineer:
Connell Mott MacDonald
Steelwork contractor:
William Hare
Steelwork tonnage:
3,000t
Project value:
£165M
