Greater Manchester Police Force Headquarters, GMP Building, Project, News, Design

Greater Manchester Police Authority Force HQ

GMPA Development, northwest England, UK design by Aedas

2 May 2012

Greater Manchester Police Authority New Force Headquarters Wins Award

Design: Aedas Architects

Aedas-designed Police Hq Among BCO North Winners

Greater Manchester Police Authority Headquarters

The Ask Goodman joint venture and architects Aedas are celebrating after winning a British Council of Offices North award for best corporate workplace for the 240,000 sqft Greater Manchester Police Force Headquarters at Central Park, east Manchester.

BCO’s Northern Awards brings together the cream of the region’s architects, designers, developers and occupiers, all of whom vie for critical acclaim from the industry organisation. Judges said the quality of entries this year had been “truly exceptional” and described the GMP Force HQ as “an iconic, state-of-the-art headquarters with a real presence.”

BCO judges continued: “The building shows the GMP as a modern, outward-looking, forward-thinking organisation and provides the optimum working environment for their team. The building’s environment provides a sense of drama, inspires the individual and lifts the spirit of the end user.”

Other winners this year included English Cities Fund’s No.4 St Paul’s Square in Liverpool, the fit-out for BBC North at Media City UK, and the Arts Council England’s office at The Hive in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Regional award winners will compete for national prizes at a ceremony in London in October.

Greater Manchester Police Authority Force Headquarters – BCO Northern Awards images / information received 020512

Previously:

Greater Manchester Police Authority HQ

Greater Manchester Police Authority to Open New Force Headquarters

On Friday, 05 June, the Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) will celebrate the full business case approval of its highly anticipated new Force Headquarters. Located within Central Park, New East Manchester’s developing business park, the new £64M building will create a modern, state-of-the-art corporate office facility which will elevate Greater Manchester Police to a world-class leader in business as well as law enforcement.

Working with Ask Goodman Developments Ltd and in response to detailed discussions and workshops with the Greater Manchester Police, Aedas designed the 240,000 sq ft office to respond to complex inter-department relationships and operational aspirations. The six-storey stone and glass building offers a bright and open atmosphere that will be inviting to both staff and visitors. Aedas Director Dominic Manfredi noted “we are delighted that the New Force Headquarters has been given the go ahead and are pleased to have the opportunity to create a landmark building on the Manchester skyline.”

Arranged around a dramatic central atrium, the open plan offices will be introduced to encourage interaction and to strengthen communication between departments. Breakout pods have been added within the core of the atrium, drawing staff to the nucleus of the building.

GMPA chairman Cllr Paul Murphy said: “We have one of the best forces in the country. It is vital that we have a fit for purpose, cost effective HQ. The relocation will ensure this is the case and I look forward to seeing the project develop.”

Additionally, Ask Developments Director, David Burkinshaw said: “GMPA’s decision is great news for Central Park and the wider Greater Manchester area. Located on a prime plot adjacent to the new Gateway transport interchange and Metrolink station, GMP will be moving in to an extremely sustainable and outstanding corporate HQ building. The relocation of more than 1,000 staff will signifi cantly increase Central Park’s business community, creating a critical mass of 600,000 sq ft when the building completes.”

The building has been designed to achieve a BREEAM Rating of Excellent. It will utilise a number of renewable energy technologies such as, solar thermal collectors and solar photo voltaic panels to achieve a 15% improvement on Building Regulation’s carbon emissions. The building is scheduled to start on site in June 2009, with the programmed completion anticipated in February 2011.

Greater Manchester Police Authority Force Headquarters information from Aedas 050609

Greater Manchester Police Authority HQ design : Aedas

Location: Manchester, Northwest England, UK