Manchester Transport Interchange

“This is the kind of public transport facility that, thankfully doesn’t make you wish you’d travelled by car instead . . . The Interchange looks good, responding to the local conservation area, and doubtless its architects are proud of the ‘aerofoil’ canopy and other features that take the eye. Architectural vanity projects rarely meet passengers’ needs, however, so you’ll be glad to know that, at Shudehill, the punters are offered first-class facilities... It’s not perfect, of course, but any more like this and ‘bus stations’ might just start getting a good name.”

John Dales, CABE / Urban Initiatives in Local Transport Today, 10/08/06

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Client

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive 

Project

Manchester Transport Interchange  

Value

£28m / €34.1m

Rate valid as of 18.04.12

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Requirement:

The new Manchester Transport Interchange was commissioned as part of the regeneration masterplan for the city centre after the devastation caused by the 1996 IRA bombing. Jefferson Sheard worked with Ian Simpson Architects to create a new development, bringing together bus services, the city's Metrolink tram system and a multi-storey car park, with user friendly, safe waiting areas at the same time as providing a new landmark building for Manchester.

Our solution

  • We worked with Ian Simpson Architects to continue the development of the concept and scheme design through to construction and completion.
  • The development, within the Shudehill Conservation Area, needed to be mindful of planning restraints and the context of the surrounding area, which is home to several listed buildings.
  • We worked carefully to ensure that the orientation of the building respected this setting - the frontage onto Shudehill is narrow, with the bulk of the build extending back to larger neighbouring developments, where the impact would be lessened.
  • The main concourse is primarily glazed, with the upper floors using an innovative system of glass fins to maximise natural light and allow natural temperature control, and to keep the building open and safe.
  • Using a varied width of panel, we've also given the building an interesting façade, animated and dynamic.
  • A striking high level aerofoil canopy provides shelter for the tram stops and defines the passenger entrance to the Interchange on Shudehill.
  • Inside the concourse, two glass and metal pods accommodate transport offices, transport information centre and a café.
  • A secondary finger island is used to increase waiting accommodation and the capacity for the concourse to grow, and flows seamlessly using similar materials to the main build.
  • In order to minimise height and still accommodate the required amount of parking space, we've employed a system of gently tilted floor plates on the parking levels.
  • A new wall to mark the perimeter of the boundary changes in colour, texture and articulation in response to its context, making it part of the city.

In 2007, the completed building received a RIBA Regional Award and a RICS Innovation Award in 2007.