Context 159 - May 2019

C O N T E X T 1 5 9 : M A Y 2 0 1 9 31 Building services CHRISTINA SINCLAIR, REBECCA STONE and TOMWATERSON Respecting Waterhouse Providing building services for the restoration, repair and alteration of Alfred Waterhouse’s Manchester Town Hall has been a collaborative effort based on heritage principles. Manchester Town Hall, the civic heart of the city, is a crucial expression of, and connection to, the innovative and industrious Victorian history, the values of which remain strong today. It is a Grade I listed building of outstanding interest. Today, the Town Hall is on the brink of a major project which will once again put it at the forefront of innovation, although this time related to its restoration, repair and carefully considered alteration. At this critical point in its history, Manchester City Council is addressing these heritage issues and opportunities head-on through the Our Town Hall project. Purcell, the design and heritage lead for the project alongside The clock tower Manchester City Council, works closely with a team of experts including Mace, Faithful and Gould, Arup, Planit IE, Ramboll, Deloitte and Lendlease. The Our Town Hall project team is based in the Town Hall during design development and construction. Walkarounds of the building are held regularly. These often include members of the Manchester City Council Client project team, who have great insight into the building’s condition, the design intentions and the opera- tions of the proposed use. Such insight, valuable during design development, has enabled the pro- ject team to embed soft landings, commissioning