103_HAT — O-RU Architects Manchester | Sustainable Architecture & Interior Design

The proposed scheme describes the redevelopment of existing commercial units to become a food hall with offices. The proposal will include the redevelopment of
the 3 retail units at ground floor, the gym at first floor and the extension, firstly, of the rear flat roof element and then the flat roof area of the entire existing second floor roof footprint.

The design of the scheme was envisioned as a careful adaptive reuse of a tired asset. With its prominent location opposite the Town Hall and on the main square, there was a great opportunity to reintroduce a landmark architecture that attracted more people to the under utilised public space. The team approached the brief imagining a design that could celebrate the past, present and future of the town with one holistic scheme. The interior strategy was one of utility, adapting the rigid cellular layout to suit the open, flowing requirements of a successful food hall. However, every opportunity was taken to connect the existing dark, isolated internal spaces back to the unique wider context of the civic square and natural Victoria Park.