Our second scheme with Renaker. Contour is a 51 story, residential tower sat within the wider Deansgate and Castlefield masterplan directly behind the Deansgate Square Development. it will feature a range of 1- and 2-bedroom apartment and luxury 3-bedroom penthouse apartments. The studio was invited to pitch for the design of the 12,000 sqft of residents shared amenity space.
Our proposal looks to draw inspiration from the forms, materiality and natural light found within the nearby area of Castlefield Basin and River Medlock. Our client’s brief was to create a luxury yet understated series of spaces. This led us to the feeling of being in some of today’s best Michelin star restaurants. Creating a space that feels refined and elegant and well crafted without shouting about it.
Upon arrival you are met with a double height triangular lobby space with a series of stepped lime rendered archways leading you through to the reception lobby to your right and to your left into a resident’s lounge. These series of arches referencing the brick stepped archways found under the viaduct to Castlefield Basin. Beyond this, further archways look to span away from the window mullions of the façade to create a crisscross lattice over the ceiling. A pattern found within the metal work detail of the railway bridges nearby. The reception desk, constructed of pigmented rammed earth, references the Manchester sandstone sediment found within the banks of the River Medlock.
Within the resident’s lounge there is a continuation of arches, however in a reduced scale to form more intimate spaces for relaxing and framing a view to the bio-ethanol fireplace to the rear of the lounge, which also provides an opening for concealed doorway into a multi-use suite with access onto the adjoining terrace.
A new feature staircase from the lounge formed from mild steel and timber leads you up to the first-floor level to be met by a games lounge, bar and golf simulator. Passing across the double height arrival lobby you are met with a co-working lounge, bespoke fixed desking with integrated power and lighting offer views out along the glazed façade and down onto the arrival lobby. Two bespoke 10-person co-working tables with curved pill shape forms book end the central breakout lounge. Along the rear a set of acoustically lined phone booth rooms provide quite spaces for teams & zoom calls.
Passing along a bookcase lined corridor you’re then met with a 4-person meeting room, designed in such a way to be flexible enough to host anything from formal meetings to cards nights. Next to this sits an acoustically lined pod cast room and content creation space. A further large scale multi-use suite with views onto a small terrace sit towards the rear. Finally, a new state of the art gym, locker room and studio space complete the amenities on offer.
The proposed material pallet for the scheme looks to take inspiration from the buildings anodized green aluminum façade and that of the local surroundings. From a terrazzo floor on the ground to dark oak floor at first. Bespoke dark timber veneer joinery, natural clay plaster, pigmented rammed earth, green granite and brass detailing provide a refined yet texturally engaging pallet.
The reference to curved forms is followed through into the upholstery and furnishings. From curved sofas to hugging lounge and dining chairs to patented deep pile rugs. Provide warmth and sophisticated comfort to the spaces.