Greater Manchester Police Force HQ

The building needed to respond to the conflicting requirements of both the GMP, where they desired an open and transparent building and the Counter Terrorism Unit, who prioritised security and privacy. Leading to a the concept of a 'hard exterior' and a 'softer interior' arranged around a central atrium space.

Externally, the building has a strong identity and civic presence aided by material choices and use of blue glass panels, synonymous with the emergency services. As well as incorporating a security stand-off zone, a blast resistant facade and curtain walling system was used in response to the level of risk associated with the operations of the building.

Internally, the open plan design encourages new ways of working, to support advancements in policing and the demands of public service. Yet, maintaining a cellular approach where required due to operational sensitivities.

The interior design embeds the GMP’s ethos throughout with a molecular colour palette associated with technology and science to differentiate the 6 floors and make it easy to navigate. The palette is supported by an icon theme - iconic faces, quotes and keyword artwork work through the building across walls and glazing, with full colour walls breaking up text and adding splashes of colour.

Six iconic people were chosen to represent the different floors symbolising the values, beliefs and achievements admired by the police and community Robert Peel, Winston Churchill, Marie Curie, Martin Luther King, Albert Einstein and Emmerline Pankhurst. Typography artwork was created making these faces up out of keywords which represent the ethos of GMP and result in a unique image specific to the police.