Erie Basin, Salford Quays
January 2020

Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer KAWNEER were specified for two linked 16-storey apartment blocks making up the £37 million BTR (Build To Rent) towers at Erie Basin in Salford Quays, Manchester.

The manufacturer’s AA100 curtain walling features as strip curtain wall to copper-coloured rainscreen areas and on link bridges and as floor-to-ceiling screens facing the water. While the AA100 system uses 50mm sightlines, the AA110 system uses 65mm but both in this case were zone-drained. They are complemented by AA541 open-out casement window inserts and AA720 ultra thermally-efficient entrance doors.

The systems were installed over eight months by a team of up to 35 from approved sub-contractor FK Group for main contractor Graham and client Glenbrook, the privately-owned property development and investment company, who acquired the site from the Peel Group.

The dockside development is Graham’s second project with Glenbrook, with work also underway on another £27 million BTR project in Ellesmere Street, Castlefield, Manchester, which also features Kawneer systems.

At the 220,000ft2 Erie Basin development, which features one, two and three-bedroomed apartments with tenant lounge, gym, private elevated garden terrace and undercroft car parking, the Kawneer aluminium systems were specified by regular Kawneer users Sheppard Robson Architects.

A spokesperson said: “We specify Kawneer systems because they are robust, quality products. The curtain wall was integral to the visual impact of the picture-frame gable ends to the north and south elevations. The strip curtain wall glazing to east and west elevations alternates in plan at every third floor to tie in to the rhythm of the dynamic folded aluminium rainscreen façade”

“The Kawneer materials interfaced well with the other materials used on the project from a performance perspective (air tightness etc) and the client is very pleased.”