Four Hardman Square is a stunning, complete renovation of a dated office block located in the vibrant Spinningfields area of Manchester. The lighting plays a crucial role in the appeal of the space, and the design includes a wide variety of luminaires from UK designers and manufacturers of lighting solutions, P&A Projects.
Architects S&P were appointed by asset managers Orchard Street Investment Management to refurbish the existing building, making significant upgrades to create an enviable office location. When stepping inside, the previous double height ground floor has been cleverly redesigned into a new mezzanine with a business lounge and communal breakout facilities.
Other appealing features include cycle storage, showers, changing areas and a state-of-the-art fitness studio equipped for virtual classes.
To achieve the lighting requirements of the newly renovated office building, P&A Projects were approached to produce lighting calculations for the reception, mezzanine, and toilets – based on drawings supplied by the project team.
Particular elements of the lighting scheme included two linear ‘L-shaped’ feature lighting for the toilet corridor. The linear lights run in two parallel rows down the centre of the corridor, and these had to be designed and manufactured to this bespoke requirement, to ensure the lighting both started and ended level with each other.
In the changing rooms, a similar pattern of lighting was required with two linear features running down the centre of the room.
For the mirror lighting in the changing room and toilets, P&A Projects supplied their SABRE 1200mm x 600mm cylindrical luminaires. On the ground floor of the reception area of Four Hardman Square, two 4000x2320mm rectangular lighting features have been created using P&A Projects’ Subspace range. Similarly on the mezzanine level, lighting of 4280mm x 2040mm can be seen which has also been achieved using the Subspace luminaires.
A wide variety of P&A Project’s linear length luminaires are installed across the general circulation areas of the refurbished building.
The Subspace range is a collection of linear architectural luminaires, manufactured from extruded aluminium. Throughout Four Hardman Square, the suspended variant has been used. Wall mounted options are also available, while direct or direct/indirect can also be specified.
P&A Projects’ SABRE luminaire is a suspended or surface mounted cylindrical linear product with high performance opal diffuser providing uniform illumination.
The entrance to Four Hardman Square is now clearly recognisable within its surroundings of retail units and blank plant room façade. The striking and prominent entrance includes a double height green wall and a shop front-style display of illuminated planting.
The building will undoubtedly become a popular and desirable office location thanks to the extensive and thoughtful refurbishment. Biodiversity is also boosted throughout, using planters and green walls to feed into the overall sustainability and biodiversity of the project. The building has achieved a BREEAM excellent certification and is currently undergoing the NABERS assessment.
Project credits:
Property Consultant: Obi
Asset Managers: Orchard Street Investment Management
Lighting Manufacturer: P&A Projects
Architects: S&P
Photographer: Martyn Hicks