Maple Tree
↑
Project Year
2019
Client
3, Hardman Street, Spinningfield
Rising to a towering height of more than 40 feet, the Maple tree commands attention in the foyer of one of Spinningfields’ premier high-rise towers. Located at Hardman St, this 16-story building stands prominently at the heart of Spinningfields, an urban development in Manchester that took shape in the 2000s under the direction of Allied London Properties.
Within the reception area, an imposing sculptural masterpiece stands as a statement piece, immediately captivating the attention of visitors. Its purpose extends beyond mere aesthetics; it serves to not only welcome guests as they step into the premises but also to ensnare their gaze, compelling them to look upward.
The project’s objective was clear: to create a powerful impact. With its immense size and captivating sculptural allure, this piece unquestionably lives up to that expectation.
The ideology was to bring nature indoors, to help improve the atmosphere of the workplace
The environmental philosophy that underpinned the wooden structure played a significant role in its initial conception and development. The choice of materials was a thoughtful process, and when the decision was made to integrate a tree into the design, it felt only fitting to incorporate a substantial amount of wood.
This was achieved through the use of cross-laminated timber, a wood panel product formed by bonding layers of solid sawn timber together. The overarching idea was to bring the essence of nature indoors, with the aim of enhancing the workplace environment and positively influencing people’s perspectives. The ultimate goal was to create a workspace that fosters comfort, leading to increased productivity, particularly among the employees.
With a vast height space to work with the architectural decorative piece is a vertical treat with great views from all floors of the building.
Additional design elements were incorporated using corten steel, secured with stainless steel fastenings. The use of corten steel adds to the aesthetics, creating an authentic rusted iron finish.
With a generous vertical space to work within, this architectural adornment is a vertical delight, offering splendid views from every floor of the building.
Drawing inspiration from the life cycle and growth of a tree, the formation gradually took shape, much like a seedling maturing into a sapling and eventually a fully grown tree. In fact, the interior structure stands at a height similar to that of a mature tree, both towering at over 40 feet.
The integration of nature’s inspiration and essence into the tower block exemplifies the principles of biophilic economics. By adopting this concept and introducing natural materials such as wood, we fulfill the expectations for large buildings to create environments that are inherently biophilic.
