Architectural Cases

Allies and Morrison's architectural design for Plot C, situated within Manchester's evolving Sister District, has successfully obtained planning approval from the Manchester City Council. This significant development comprises two large, interconnected commercial structures, totaling approximately 81,000 square meters, making it one of the city's largest new workplace-focused projects. The scheme is a cornerstone of the broader master plan for Manchester's emerging innovation campus, a joint venture between the University of Manchester and Bruntwood SciTech, and represents a crucial phase in the area's phased regeneration.

The approved plans detail a harmonious integration of commercial spaces with publicly accessible areas, including extensive landscaping and reconfigured public squares. A central tenet of the design is flexibility, aiming to accommodate a wide spectrum of enterprises from burgeoning start-ups to established large organizations. The interconnected nature of the two buildings facilitates adaptable floorplates and shared communal zones, fostering a dynamic environment that blends professional settings with inviting outdoor spaces.

While sharing a cohesive architectural language, the two buildings of Plot C are distinguished by their scale, massing, and material palettes. Building C1, the lower of the two, incorporates warmer red tones, thoughtfully selected to resonate with the existing brickwork of the surrounding Whitworth Street Conservation Area. In contrast, the taller C2 building presents a darker, charcoal-grey facade, accentuating its vertical presence. Together, these structures create a distinctive gateway to the Sister campus, establishing a recognizable architectural threshold while maintaining their individual identities within the larger urban fabric.

The meticulous planning of the public realm is a key feature of the approved scheme. Landscaped areas and pedestrian pathways are strategically designed to guide movement throughout the site, enhancing connectivity between the buildings and their immediate surroundings. The revitalized public square is envisioned as a vibrant hub, promoting permeability and providing opportunities for both daily activities and the integration of professional and social environments. Through this thoughtful amalgamation of architecture and landscape, Plot C is set to significantly contribute to the evolving spatial framework of the Sister District, laying the groundwork for subsequent development phases.

This landmark approval for Plot C underscores Manchester's ongoing commitment to fostering an innovative and dynamic urban environment. The project, with its blend of commercial functionality and accessible public spaces, is poised to become a vital component of the city's future growth, attracting diverse businesses and enriching the lives of its inhabitants.

Forging New Futures: Collaborative Design for Post-Pandemic Urbanity

Exploring the Evolution of Urban Cores

The "Coming Together" exhibition, a key initiative within the Museum's Future Cities project, offers a comprehensive look at the changes occurring in American downtowns. Curated by Georgetown University Professor Uwe S. Brandes and designed by Reddymade and MGMT., it examines how various communities are actively molding new urban environments. The exhibition draws upon insights from over sixty American cities, both large and small, revealing how they have adapted to profound shifts in living, working, and leisure since the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be on display until Fall 2026.

Visions for an Inclusive Urban Future

Aileen Fuchs, President and Executive Director of the National Building Museum, emphasizes that the exhibition encourages visitors to contemplate urban evolution and envision innovative approaches for a more equitable, sustainable, and enjoyable future. Curator Uwe S. Brandes notes that this period is transformative for American cities, where the pandemic, while exposing vulnerabilities, also sparked immense creativity and resilience. The exhibition demonstrates partnerships between civic leaders, businesses, institutions, and local residents in developing strategies for enhancing urban areas for everyone. Its core message is that through unity, cities can redefine fundamental aspects of daily life—from residency and employment to recreation and spiritual engagement.

Innovative Urban Revitalization Strategies

The exhibition employs a range of multimedia elements, including detailed case studies, informative data visualizations, extensive video presentations, interactive digital displays, and participatory voting exercises. These components offer a dynamic exploration of potential urban futures driven by community engagement and cooperative efforts. The exhibition is structured into three distinct sections, each examining a different facet of downtown evolution. The initial gallery, "Social Distancing," provides historical context, tracing the origins of the term "downtown" and analyzing how public health crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated pre-existing urban transformations. The second gallery, "Cities Take Charge," showcases contemporary strategies and policies for repositioning downtown districts in the post-pandemic era. This section highlights collaborative innovation, such as the conversion of office buildings into residential units, the repurposing of sidewalks into communal gathering spaces, and the transformation of vacant retail fronts into cultural hubs.

Showcasing Diverse Community Initiatives

Featured examples within the exhibition include Salt Lake City's focus on residential development, which led to a population increase in its downtown area post-pandemic. Washington D.C.'s strategic investments in sports and entertainment aim to mitigate economic shifts. Nashville, Tennessee, demonstrates remarkable adaptability in its tourism-dependent economy. Visitors can also see the adaptive reuse of Alexandria, Virginia's Park + Ford office building, which was converted into 435 residential units while preserving its original structure. The introduction of portable "parklets" in Norfolk, designed as temporary social spaces in former parking spots, is another highlight. Furthermore, the exhibition features the transformation of a vacant Google office in New York City into a coding academy by Black Girls Code. Beyond architectural interventions, the exhibition celebrates community-driven initiatives, such as the collaboration between Southwest BID and DC Central Kitchen during the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington D.C., and the designation of Fifth Avenue in downtown San Diego as a "slow street," prioritizing pedestrian activity.

Fostering Collaborative Urban Dialogues

With "Coming Together," the National Building Museum extends an invitation to audiences to explore how collective action can lead to more inclusive, resilient, and dynamic urban environments. To support this objective, the exhibition includes a dedicated "City Action Hall." This versatile space is designed for meetings, strategic planning sessions, workshops, and public events. Configured with modular elements, it can accommodate various group sizes and is equipped with audiovisual technology and display boards for sharing ideas. Organizations are encouraged to present posters detailing their contributions to downtown revitalization, fostering a nationwide dialogue throughout the exhibition's duration. Interested groups and individuals can apply to utilize the City Action Hall through the Museum's official application portal.