St. Peter's Square, Manchester Redesign of the central town square

The central town square, St. Peter's Square, forms the heart of the Town Hall Complex Transformation Programme, the aim of which is to give the city centre an attractive and citizen-friendly centre. As an urban open space, the square links different central functions and itself becomes a new destination in the urban fabric.

In its ensemble of listed buildings and structures such as the Central Library, the historic Town Hall and the extension housing the administration or E. Lutyens Cenotaph Monument and St. Peter's Cross, buildings will be partly newly constructed and partly completely rebuilt. A second tram line and a major interchange will also be incorporated into the square. St Peter's Square links the major structural changes currently taking place in this area of the city and acts as a catalyst for future urban and economic development.
The history of the site predates the creation of the buildings that exist today; it has been subject to a variety of changes over time. The new design reflects this history and also meets the challenges of the present, resulting in a unique contemporary open space. When fully completed, St. Peter's Square will be free of individual traffic and open as a generous pedestrian space under loose, characteristic trees, complemented by a specially developed family of seating elements.
As a space, the square is strongly anchored in its urban context, through visual and pathway relationships and, most importantly, through the surfacing of York Stone slabs with their distinctive surface treatment. All elements work together to create a vibrant and unique place to stay in the heart of the city.

Award: 2015 CEEQUAL Evaluation of Sustainability Aspects, Rating: Excellent (Highest Level) The award was given to the team of client, designers and construction company by the Institution of Civil Engineers UK and relates to a wide range of aspects of the project's sustainability.

Planning and realisation 2012-2017
1st prize in the 2012 international competition.