Oktober 27th, 2011
The Co-Operative Group’s new Manchester based headquarters is set to be a striking new addition the city’s skyline. With the project now well underway and set for a summer 2012 completion, Barnshaws Metal Bending have curved and cambered beams for the build on behalf of leading fabricator Fisher Engineering.
The 16 storey building will be the first phase of The Co-Op’s 20 acre site regeneration, and includes 320,000 sq ft of open plan office space. The building will become the first in Manchester to achieve the highest BREEAM rating, designed with a hollow centre and sloping upper levels.
The building was constructed using steel to allow for large column free floors and future flexibility. The three vertically and horizontally rounded elevations are formed by an outer double skin facade.
Beam Cambering and curving in the same bar is an extremely difficult process without the correct metal bending equipment. Barnshaws new 3d CNC bending machine allows beams to be curved in two axes in a single process. Other projects completed using this process are the new monorail at Heathrow airport. 400 x 200 RHS sections were curved in both axes.
For more information visit The Co-operative Group website.
