Project: The Fairfax, Manchester
Client: Olympian
Main Contractor: RG Group
Installer: Stoneguard
Delivery architect: DAY Architectural Ltd>/a>
Products: AlivaBrick and AlivaCeramic



The brief
The Fairfax, Manchester is a £165million, flagship 488-apartment Build To Rent development for client Olympian. It features two towers of 23 and 29 storeys linked by a glazed central atrium on the Ancoats side of the city.

This signature Manchester project features an entirely bespoke facade system combination with two of our External Wall Insulation slip systems. The dominant volume of product is our A1 fire rated, Kiwa certified AlivaBrick clay slip system with accent detailing created through our A1 fire rated, Kiwa certified AlivaCeramic slip system.

The Fairfax features a total of 11,000sqm of our slip systems, a customised product suite that has created significant architectural impact on the Mancunian city skyline.

What makes it special
The bespoke AlivaBrick system includes darker grey clay slips to the 23 floor tower in a colourway entitled ‘Karma grey’ and lighter tones in ‘Karma white grey’ clay slips for the 29 floor tower. The overall affect gives a ‘Nordic’ grey visual overture to the skyline.

The darker grey clay slips on the smaller tower are complemented by bespoke accent detailing created with our AlivaCeramic with three shades of RAL-matched tiles creating a distinct cuboid aesthetic.

A design that stems from:

Isometric projection, a drawing method used in architecture/technical illustration to create a 3D appearance without perspective distortion.
The mathematical idea of tessellation, where shapes repeat seamlessly across a surface.
Optical illusion design graphics that play with depth perception.
Both systems were developed to ensure the highest fire classification has been achieved based on testing to standard EN13501-1:2019, the recognised linear route to regulatory compliance.

The systems can be installed without height restriction, which created the optimum facade solution given the heights of this two-tower new-build.

Sympathetic to Manchester’s mill heritage
Our AlivaBrick clay slip system delivered a traditional brickwork aesthetic in contemporary cool grey shades that equally pay tribute to Manchester’s ‘Cottonopolis’ mill history and is in-keeping with the surrounding area today, which includes converted mills.

MMC, thermal efficiency and sustainability
External Wall Insulation systems are fabric-first solutions and at the forefront of MMC. Given 45% of the heat in a building is lost through its walls, EWI is a must for any energy-conscious project, improving thermal values, reducing energy consumption for the betterment of the planet and residents’ energy bills. MMC also brings greater agility to a project, including faster construction times, improved quality control, cost savings and sustainability.

The project had several detail interfaces, however the U-Value ranges achieved through this combination of EWI systems were between 0.13-0.16W/m2k. Our AlivaBrick system also reduced material and weight on the project plus brick slip production requires approximately 85% less energy than conventional brick production, adding to the NZC contribution.

What the clients said
Richard Goodwin, Construction Director at Olympian, said:

“The combination of two Aliva UK EWI facade systems, AlivaBrick and AlivaCeramic have helped create a signature aesthetic for our flagship Build to Rent development The Fairfax, as well as generating sustainability benefits for our carbon footprint and our residents’ energy bills.

The AlivaBrick clay slip system has created an overarching brick aesthetic for our two towers in-keeping with Manchester’s existing urban architecture and mill heritage, with the two tones of grey brick slip creating a contemporary colourway that blends sympathetically into the skyline.

The AlivaCeramic system has brought further flair to the visuality of The Fairfax, with three shades of grey slip evoking the essence of isometric cube tessellation, a 3D cuboid design that gives our project a distinct design and accent detailing as a new addition to the Mancunian skyline.

This duo of External Wall Insulation systems bring sustainability benefits to our development through the thermal efficiencies they yield, demonstrated with U-Values achieved between 0.13-0.16W/m2k.

These two Aliva UK facade systems have played their part in helping us transform a once neglected corner of the city into a thriving new residential community.

The Fairfax was delivered as a result of a collaborative approach up and down the whole supply chain with us and the main contractor RG Group, alongside Aliva UK as specialist cladding consultants that enhanced quality as an integral design team member.”

Adam Crabtree, Director at main contractor RG Group, added: “Aliva supported the supply chain with commitment and professionalism in respect to the Fairfax scheme. The quality of the finished product is excellent and provides a quality back drop to those arriving at Piccadilly station.”

Category: EWI