sculpted mann island mixed-use development by broadway malyan

sculpted mann island mixed-use development by broadway malyan 
above image © webb aviation

sitting dramatically on the shores of liverpool’s mercantile world heritage site is the ‘mann island mixed-use development’. the £93 million scheme was designed by matt brook, studio director at the local office of broadway malyan architects. the site is comprised of multiple structures and public areas. the former, are characterized as two trapezoidal residential wedges with accompanying orthogonal office block. around and between these, is a series of carefully crafted spaces which reconnect the city centre to the historic waterfront. 

the ‘mann island mixed-use development’ from above 
image © webb aviation

the housing project reinvents the high-density city apartment typology. externally, black granite façades create a strong impression that’s then countered internally with white, full-height covered courtyards. the interior spaces provide a sense of community among residents, and also create a temporary escape from the city. all 363 units, due to the covered internal expanses, are able to be naturally cross-ventilated. 

reflective black granite façades
image © mccoy wynne

geometry of the blocks relate to mann island and the nearby graving jetties. their profiled rooftops preserve key views of the pier head buildings when viewed from albert dock. the office structure relates to the mersey tunnel building, adjacent highway, and the city grid beyond, as well as provides a solid backdrop to the other edifices when viewed from the river.

office block and distant residential blocks  
image © edmund sumner 

polished marble materials were painstakingly researched to find those with minimal mineral inclusions, integral to maximizing reflective sensitivity. as visitors and residents walk through the ever-changing appearance the scene is further animated by glazing panels that open inwards. dark flush façades spontaneously give way to even darker interiors, and during the night, lights from inside create huge, constantly shifting abstractions. 

covered interior courtyard 
image © graeme cooper

the building’s sloping roofs also have a hidden use, labelled by the firm as the fifth elevation. here, precision lines carve rooftop terraces that offer views of the river and surrounding landscapes. from afar the crenulated summits provide a sense of scale and texture to the site, creating just enough tension to offset the purity of the elevations. the project is owned by neptune developments and countryside properties, and was created in cooperation with the liverpool city council.

all 363 units have access to the courtyard and are naturally cross-ventilated
image © edmund sumner

windows open inwards rather than outwards, creating spontaneous shapes to form 
image © edmund sumner

views with distant three graces buildings 
image © edmund sumner 

hidden rooftop terraces that offer views of the river and city 
image © mccoy wynne

sculpted roofscape 
image © graeme cooper

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