Ducie Court,
Manchester
Client
Marcus Worthington Group
The proposal provides, over 2 phases, a total of 632 single, double, DDA compliant and studio study bedrooms arranged with the exception of the studios, in clusters of 4 and 5 around communal living, dining and kitchen areas.
In turn, groups of up to 4 clusters each served by vertical service cores form a series of ‘L’ shaped 4 – 5 storey blocks whose composition on plan creates private courtyards within the site whilst defining a hard edge to it’s perimeter.
Further clusters, containing solely double study bedrooms and independent studios are contained in 4, 2 and 3 storey ‘pods’ which sit lightly over the blocks below.
A landscaped plinth, raised half a story above pavement level serves to connect the courtyard spaces and provide access from the single site entrance to each residential block.
Beneath the plinth, lies basement car parking, a gym with an open air sports court, storage lockers and a laundry.
It is proposed that the main blocks are clad in terracotta rainscreen panels. This material seeks to make a contextual reference to the neighbouring red brick buildings whilst reflecting the contemporary and modular nature of the building.
Separated from the main blocks by a band of grey aluminium framed windows and panels, the pods, clad in blue/green phenolic resin impregnated softwood panels are seen as lightweight abstract elements.