Built on a green, sloping site, it juggles with scale, levels and perspective to create a warm and homely aspect, quite different from traditional hospital conventions.
The façade has a single white glazed finish but using two Terreal products that, when subtly combined together, add dynamism and a contoured appearance. In order to create a monolithic effect, the architects chose the large format Piterak Slim 60 cm cladding system for the building’s “backbone”. This is a product with two key strengths that make it perfectly suited to the project: a closed joint that adds uniformity and smooth appearance, as well as the flexibility of being suitable to install both horizontally and vertically. And for the outsize arches, looking like giant football goals, the Maestral Slim 20 cm cladding won universal approval. Arranged vertically, in rows of three, it makes the building look longer, creating the impression of dominating the landscape.
A very successful approach, achieved thanks to the twin technical challenge taken up by the Terreal teams for the insulating panels on the arches. “It was not a case here of simply covering flat façades, but columns, and therefore we had to deal with the corner angles”, explains Thomas Logeais, Terreal Project Manager. “We adapted the Maestral Slim attachment system so it would not be visible at the corners.” The largest challenge was dealing with the fact it was impossible to attach the clips to the edges of pieces cut diagonally for joining vertical and horizontal sections. “We had to revise the system for that too, making a linear cut on the back of the terracotta so that our clips could grip onto the inside of the product.” Ingenious and totally invisible. This was a superb technical feat, showing attention to detail and producing a great overall effect.
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Manchester , United Kingdom
North Manchester hospital
Like a series of arches that interlock, intersect, separate and stand out, the new twenty-four-bed intermediate care unit at North Manchester Hospital in England is both unsettling and intriguing on the eye, in equal measure. Designed by the Lewis and Hickey firm of architects, in close collaboration with Terreal, this project to accommodate patients convalescing before they return home plays a transitional role in terms of its design and appearance too.
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Year of delivery
2018
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Location
Manchester United Kingdom
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Architect / signatory
Lewis & Hickey
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Project owner
North Manchester general Hospital
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Photograph
Daniel Hopkinson
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Product name
Piterak Slim & Maestral Slim
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Product form
Standard
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Epidermis texture
Through body colour
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Surface appearance
Glazed
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Color
White Glazed
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Work
New
Titre d'article
The purity angle
The word of
Lewis & Hickey, Architect
InterviewTom Lyth, architect at Lewis and Hickey
“I particularly valued Terreal's ability to visualise the project through my eyes. The teams’ availability and involvement was also a great support, right from the start of the project. While we were refining the drawings, Terreal representatives flew to Manchester to talk to us about the products and their implementation, which enabled us to go over a number of technical matters. To be honest, we hadn't immediately envisaged using terracotta cladding products, but we certainly have no regrets as they meet our requirements in every respect, particularly as regards their resistance to bad weather and ability to last a long time. Our collaboration with Terreal was a first and I’m sure it marks the start of a great venture. In fact, a sixteen-bed extension is already planned. So, we’ll be very pleased to find ourselves back with the Terreal teams again in the near future.”
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Year of delivery
2018
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Location
Manchester United Kingdom
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Architect / signatory
Lewis & Hickey
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Project owner
North Manchester general Hospital
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Photograph
Daniel Hopkinson
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Product name
Piterak Slim & Maestral Slim
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Product form
Standard
-
Epidermis texture
Through body colour
-
Surface appearance
Glazed
-
Color
White Glazed
-
Work
New