1 Angel Square

This book charts the building of 1 Angel Square, the remarkable new head office for The Co-operative Group in Manchester’s new NOMA district.

Combining text and photographs to illustrate the building from commissioning to completion, Len Grant has interviewed the whole project team – clients, architects, engineers, project managers and builders – and has had unreserved access to document the creation of this already award-winning structure. The design of 1 Angel Square by the architects 3DReid, is currently the UK’s highest BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) rated office building to date, and it is set to be one of the most sustainable buildings in Europe.

1 Angel Square, the book, is an intimate record of this fascinating building. Some of the impressive facts include: 3,157 internal and external window panels make up the façade; there are 10,500 data and power outlets; it sits on 539 foundation piles, with an average depth of 18 metres below ground; and there are approximately 22km of power cables.

This book will be required reading for students of architecture and construction, sustainability studies and urban planning, and for those with an interest in the history of one of the world’s great businesses.