Campus for Manchester Metropolitan University set to be the UK’s greenest

Following a successful entry in a national design competition, Gillespies is pleased to be appointed as landscape designers for the prestigious new campus at Birley Fields, Hulme, Manchester, working with Sheppard Robson Architects and Aecom Engineering.  The detailed planning application was submitted this week.

Part of the continuing urban regeneration of Hulme, the Birley Fields campus will build a state-of-the-art educational campus to the highest sustainable credentials.  It will also support the delivery of an attractive and positive educational experience. 

The innovative new campus design encourages community access to the public realm and university facilities.  Gillespies developed the BirleyFields:ForEveryone concept to highlight this potential and to communicate the aspiration to a wide audience.

The development aspires to reach Zero Carbon status and Gillespies' designs are instrumental in achieving this.  The new designs include green technologies, a "green" bridge, permeable pavements, surface water swales and planting to maximize biodiversity.

Working with MYRIAD, Gillespies has also developed a series of public art interventions that aim to inspire students and provide opportunities for community engagement.   

As landscape architects for this £80m development, Gillespies is establishing a new landscape infrastructure that promises to connect with both the local community and enhances the educational environment for students and staff.