Manchester City Council has approved plans for the extension of the popular Loreto Sixth Form College in Hulme.
Part of the £4bn Victoria North masterplan, this 10architects-designed scheme will see the addition of a new 24,000 sq ft teaching block accommodating an extra 264 students across three storeys. Under the plans for this two-acre site, the existing vacant St Vincent’s probation centre and part of the St Vincent building will be demolished, making way for the new facility which will incorporate 20 classrooms, staff rooms, assembly space and a study centre.
Bordering Moss Road West on the College’s existing campus off Chichester Road, the development will introduce 24 new cycle parking places, along with multiple electric vehicle parking and charging bays all set within extensive landscaping. In an effort to address concerns around congestion and air quality at this busy location, a campus-wide active travel policy will also be introduced to further reduce the College’s travel impact.
Waterman’s team in Manchester provided the building services design for the scheme. With a key focus on reducing operational carbon emissions and minimising energy consumption in use, our mechanical and electrical design incorporates air source heat pumps, 100 sqm of photovoltaic panels and passive natural ventilation systems with night cooling. Combined with a highly efficient building envelope, these measures will deliver a circa 20% improvement over Part L CO2 targets.
Commenting on the planning approval, Tim Davies, Waterman’s Director for Building Services, said: “I’m delighted to see the exciting plans for Loreto Sixth Form College’s expansion get the go-ahead from Manchester City Council. This development will provide a highly sustainable learning environment, harnessing the latest technology and passive design techniques to drive down operational carbon emissions and slash energy consumption. I look forward to seeing the scheme progress over the coming months.”
Images courtesy of 10architect.
