BAM has constructed the four-storey timber building, ‘The Pavilion’, for client Allied London. The 1300m2 timber structure, constructed from CLT and glulam, includes a roof terrace and two impressive cantilevers at each end. It was the final building to be completed in Manchester’s Spinningfields development and is now home to high-end food and drink establishments, sitting alongside a new landscaped garden space.
Constructed from more than 650m3 of timber, The Pavilion is the largest timber-framed building in central Manchester. The structure is constructed from a larch and spruce glulam frame, CLT walls, CLT and glulam rib deck panels, and diagonal structural steel bracing. The glulam frame is left exposed, and charred and brushed larch weatherboards clad the wall panels before being overlaid with extensive planting to provide shade and privacy.
All the individual timber components were prefabricated offsite and the whole structure was delivered to site in just 12 loads and erected within 12 weeks. Offsite fabrication delivered many benefits to the project. It reduced waste production on site and also reduced the number of deliveries to site over the construction period. This was a big benefit to this tight, city centre project and helped lower our transport-related emissions.
A first for our project team, the construction of The Pavillion proved to be an enjoyable but challenging experience. Apart from the slab, there is minimal structural steel or concrete in the building.
Incorporating three floors, a roof terrace and cantilevers at both ends, it pushes the boundaries of what is possible for timber construction.
The façade, with its use of timber and extensive planting, creates a warm and modern building. The building’s appearance will transform over time as the plants grow, which includes climbing plants on mesh panels, rooftop tree planters, and gabion planters. The planting scheme was chosen taking into consideration the climate and sunlight levels. As the plants grow, they will also offer solar shading to the building, reducing the building’s cooling requirements.
