503 Focchi

Architectural Review, The, Nov, 2000

The new Marks and Spencer building in Manchester, by BDP Manchester, has arisen out of the ashes of the old, destroyed by the 1996 bomb blast. The building envelope is composed of six different kinds of Focchi system. The south face is naturally ventilated and double-skinned with an outer skin of toughened glass and an inner blast resistant curtain walling system (SSG).

The north face onto Exchange Square has aluminium-framed SSG panels of low iron glass (to enhance natural light) supported by Vierendeel steel trusses connected by stainless-steel rods.

Suspended curtain walling systems have been used for east and west entrances and corners, while shop fronts are made up of panels of blast resistant, single laminated glass bonded to the aluminium profile with structural silicone. Mullions are 4m high laminated glass fins, structurally bonded to aluminium frames.