Uptown Riverside, Manchester

Modular-built apartments on the banks of River Irwell

The Uptown Riverside development on Trinity Way comprises three tower blocks containing 156 apartments. The modular-built towers are pre-constructed in a factory setting and then connected on site. We were asked to assist with the design process by attending design assessments, liaising with the Fire Service and providing ongoing site inspection reports.

The modular construction method uses CLT (cross laminate timber) to create the ‘modular pods’. However, due to regulation changes in December 2018, the use of CLT in external walls of buildings over 18m is now illegal. We used our expertise in the high-rise sector to assist the design team in formulating a new external wall configuration which met the current regulations, resulting in a successful consultation with the Fire Service.