'Chatham Skin'

The concept for the new skin of the Chatham building (MSA) is a folding panel system that encompasses the whole facade. The design of the system increases views over Manchester, allows for a flexibility of space and enables a control on climatic issues. The character of the facade is seen as ever-changing, each occupant modifies a space to suit their requirements.

The system is similar to that of the ‘Carabanchel House’ in Madrid, Spain by Foreign Office Architects. The panels act as louvres, open or shut to regulate the amount of daylight entering,  and allow for a control on natural ventilation and heat loss. The system is fitted onto 1.5m terraces, which wrap around the levels of Chatham, merging the interior with the exterior.

Carabanchel House

The panels incorporated into the folding system are triple glazed, similar to those found on David Chipperfield’s ‘Des Moines public library’. Light is diffused through a steel mesh within the exterior leaf of the panel whilst heat is reflected. This results in the face reflecting the most light appearing as a solid steel panel, whereas the other side is transparent. 

In the day Chatham appears to be clad in steel panels, viewed as a solid and heavy mass.
 At night it itransformed into a beacon of light, illuminating its surroundings

Des Moines public library