Manchester: The Work in Progress Pavilion has officially completed construction at the Manchester Fashion Institute, representing a significant step in sustainable fashion manufacturing with its innovative design and low-carbon materials, contributing to the UK’s ambitions for a zero-carbon future.
The Work in Progress Pavilion, a landmark low-carbon, timber-framed facility serving the UK’s first fashion manufacturing lab, has officially completed construction. Located at the Manchester Fashion Institute of Manchester Metropolitan University, this innovative pavilion is part of the Robotics Living Lab (RoLL) initiative, aiming to advance sustainable fashion manufacturing by integrating robotic technology.
Designed by Bennetts Associates, the pavilion exemplifies a commitment to sustainable construction practices, employing UK-sourced materials and methods to significantly lower the building’s embodied carbon footprint. The structure features a frame made of native UK Douglas fir timber and insulated wall panels created from straw, which captures carbon far quicker than traditional materials. The exterior showcases charred larch timber panelling that serves as protection for the straw insulation beneath.
Positioned in a previously underutilised courtyard behind the historically listed Righton Building in central Manchester, the pavilion’s distinct black shou sugi ban cladding and new landscaping enhance the area’s aesthetic and functionality. Its design thoughtfully incorporates an exposed waffle soffit structure, which, combined with natural light, creates a tranquil environment for presenting various research outcomes.
Remarkably, the Pavilion’s design has achieved an upfront carbon figure of 468 kgCO2e/m2 GIA (A1-A5), with an additional biogenic carbon capture of -340 kgCO2e/m2 GIA incorporated within the structure. This performance is expected to meet the Net Zero Carbon Building Standard for new higher education buildings up to 2030. Currently, the project is part of the NZCBS Pilot Scheme, and a Post Occupancy Evaluation exercise is in progress.
In alignment with the principles of circular economy, Bennett Associates has designed the pavilion to allow for its materials and components to be reused in the future, supporting the University’s Leadership in Sustainability strategy aimed at achieving a zero-carbon future, as well as Greater Manchester’s ambition to reach zero carbon by 2038.
Adrian Lonsdale, Studio Director at Bennetts Associates, expressed pride in the project, stating, “The Work in Progress Pavilion is a pioneering space that not only represents a milestone in resource-conscious design and challenging conventional building techniques, but also marks a significant first for the university and the UK fashion industry. As a practice known for our commitment to sustainability, we are proud to deliver an exemplary project that highlights the potential of biogenic and regenerative low-carbon materials.”
Meanwhile, Susan Postlethwaite, Professor of Fashion Technologies at the Manchester Fashion Institute and Director of RoLL, shared her enthusiasm for the project’s completion, remarking that the launch is “the culmination of years of planning, collaboration and research, and I’m delighted to showcase the important work of the lab inside this beautiful structure designed by Bennetts Associates to meet our climate commitments.”
This pavilion not only serves as a base for fashion designers and manufacturers but also stands as a testament to innovative sustainable architecture and the potential transformations within the fashion industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
