No.1 Spinningfields - Thermal Modelling & Façade Analysis

Manchester

Home   /   Products   /  All Case Studies   /  Detail

SWECO used the IES Virtual Environment (IESVE) to conduct detailed thermal modelling and Façade analysis of the iconic No.1 Spinningfields building in Manchester.

Key Facts

  • BREEAM Excellent rating
  • 92m, 17 storey high office building
  • Energy and Carbon Savings of 26%

SWECO were appointed to provide building services engineering design and sustainability consultancy for No.1 Spinningfields. The tower at 92m will be the tallest office space in the Spinningfields district. The building includes seventeen levels of office accommodation, ground floor food hall, and coffee bar, retail, business lounge and a rooftop restaurant on the 19th floor.

Using the IESVE SWECO were able to model a number of high efficiency features such as:

  • High performance passive solar design and optimised façade to maintain high levels of natural daylight and air conditioning loads;
  • Thermal wheels utilised for ventilation heat recovery;
  • High efficiency LED lighting with intelligent control; 
  • Energy modelling and Part L compliance incorporating heating from on-site CHP energy centre. 

The IESVE enabled the SWECO team to model and assess the energy performance of the complex facade consisting of five clear glazing types combined with fritted panels designed by SimpsonHaugh Architects. The aspiration was to create a landmark fully glazed building which would mark the success and culmination of the Spinningfields Masterplan, a thriving office-led, mixed-use district in Manchester’s city centre. 

This was possible through early solar analysis of the envelope that resulted in the specification of different façade patterns and a mix of clear and fritted glazing for each elevation to control excessive heat gains into the building, maintaining high comfort levels and keeping cooling demand low.

In addition to that, dynamic simulation modelling for Part L compliance was carried out in the IESVE. The energy efficiency features coupled with CHP on-site contributed to 26% savings on carbon emissions and energy consumption, which led the building to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

By implementing the suggested high efficiency features the client was able to save significantly both in energy use and costs.

“A high performance façade design using the latest technology of insulated triple glazing conserves heat and maximises the level of natural light. The façade composition changes to reflect its position, meeting site specific needs. Selected individual solar coatings and fritting control the solar radiation and light transmission for each elevation, decreasing the use of artificial lighting. The subtle colour and reflectivity differentiation gives each façade an identity.”

SimpsonHaugh Architects

Project Gallery

Related Products