BUILDING OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST: 4 Angel Square (NOMA)

Date: 13/02/2024
Author: Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Company: Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

4 Angel Square, Manchester’s most sustainable smart enabled office building, was one of six projects shortlisted for the Building of the Year Award 2023.

Net zero in operation, the building is the newest addition to the thriving NOMA neighbourhood, which is leading the way in creating sustainable, health and wellbeing focussed workplaces for the city, and for the future.

This pioneering building sets a new benchmark for sustainable real estate development in the city, and proudly claims the distinction of being Manchester's first building to achieve the NABERS Design for Performance Target Rating of Five Stars.

Providing 200,000 square feet of premium, adaptable workspace, this flagship 11-storey Grade A office building has been designed by SimpsonHaugh, the renowned architectural firm, and has been delivered by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland.

4 Angel Square is distinguished as a Design for Performance Pioneer Project, boasting an array of features crafted to deliver energy-efficient performance throughout its operational life. Among its innovative features is an energy-efficient heating system leveraging air source heat pumps, which harness energy generated from rooftop photovoltaic panels.

The building operates exclusively on renewable electricity, with ground-floor spaces dedicated to leisure, retail and a Wellbeing Suite to follow.

Furthermore, the building integrates smart-enabled systems including a comprehensive Building Management System, energy monitoring and management mechanisms, climate control, air quality assessment capabilities, and state-of-the-art connectivity from day one, facilitated through fibre-optic connections.

The significance of this achievement is underscored by two additional accreditations awarded to the project. 4 Angel Square has secured the WiredScore Platinum rating, reinforcing its excellence in digital and telecommunications connectivity. Further, the building has a Two-Star rating from Fitwel, a prominent certification system for healthy buildings.

Occupying 20 acres at the heart of Manchester's city centre, NOMA thrives as a diverse and vibrant community with excellent transportation links. Its evolution into a premier destination for both business and leisure continues, with the iconic New Century dining and music venue, reopened in late 2022, rapidly emerging as a cultural landmark within Manchester.

The Christie Paterson Building was the winner of the Building of the Year Award 2023 - read more here.