Greenheys, Manchester Science Park

Greenheys is a landmark life sciences development at the heart of Manchester Science Park, designed to support scientific research, innovation and collaboration. Defined by sweeping curved corners and clean anodised finishes, the building required a bespoke facade solution that could translate its complex architectural design into a practical system for manufacture and installation.

Working closely with Red Systems from an early stage, Metalline developed and supplied a tailored solution that combined architectural precision with long-term performance.

Technical

Metalline supplied bespoke ULTIMA aluminium insulated spandrel panels with a premium anodised finish, engineered to integrate precisely within the building’s curtain walling system. The complex facade geometry, particularly around the sweeping curved corners, required careful coordination between design, manufacture and installation. Working closely with Red Systems, Metalline developed the panel configuration and interface details to accommodate the changing radius while maintaining consistent joint lines, panel alignment and visual continuity across the elevation.

Full-scale prototype panels were produced during the design development stage, allowing the project team to assess the curved construction, anodised finish and integration with the surrounding facade components before progressing to manufacture. The prototypes were reviewed and refined to establish a repeatable production method and help minimise potential issues during installation. This collaborative approach enabled the panels to be manufactured accurately and installed efficiently while preserving the architect’s original design intent and delivering a consistent finish across both the curved and straight sections of the facade.