NATIONAL FINALIST
Barton Square, intu Trafford Centre, Manchester
PROJECT TEAM
Architect:
Corstorphine + Wright, Leach Rhodes Walker
Structural Engineer:
Mott MacDonald, Cameron Darroch Associates
Steelwork Contractor:
S H Structures Ltd
Main Contractor:
VINCI Construction UK
Client:
Intu Properties plc
The refurbishment of Barton Square includes the addition of two 36m-wide glazed barrel vault roofs over the main malls, providing a more user friendly experience for shoppers, and a 32m-diameter central dome that creates a stunning focal point towering above an ornate water feature. The upper levels of the centre have additional steelwork framing and stairs along with four smaller roof structures to extend the available retail space.
The critical interface between the steelwork and the glazing system called for strict tolerances to be achieved, and construction was carried out outside normal trading h ours to allow the centre to remain open throughout.
Safely installing a new central dome a nd glazed barrel-vaulted roofs over this section of the Trafford C entre, while it was kept open t o the public throughout, was a formidable logistical challenge. This w as met by delivering and installing most of the steelwork, including the 3 6m vaulted beams, in constrained night-time operations.