Mansell Building Solutions has recieved an award for its part in creating the fantastic Aviva Studios – Manchester’s new multi-million-pound venue for art, music and culture, part of Factory International.
The Greater Manchester-based, family-run firm was crowned a winner at the Finishes and Interiors Sector Contractors Awards 2024, victorious in the Partitioning (over £1m) category.
Mansell constructed the main wall area of the cultural space as a box-within-a-box to provide structural integrity. The firm had to work within a challenging 2.4m space between structures and sometimes at heights of up to 28 metres, delivering drywall partitioning, acoustic baffles and the steel framing. With the main auditorium being constructed as a sphere, some of the theatre walls had to be sloped and in a curved radius, which presented a particular challenge.
Mansell fought off tough competition from three other projects to be crowned winner and judges acknowledged that it was a “very difficult project to undertake”.
Judges also said: “This year the competition between entries has been extremely high, with most scores achieving the same benchmark for quality of workmanship.”
Mansell’s work on the building was delivered in September 2023 and the project team included project architects OMI and main contractor, Laing O’Rourke.
Stephanie Mansell, business support director at Mansell Building Solutions, said: “It was an honour to help deliver this landmark project and receiving this award is the icing on the cake.
“Aviva Studios has been talked about for years and is a landmark project on our home turf, so winning this award is extra special to everyone involved.”
The FIS Contractors Awards 2024 took place 6th June 2024 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Mansell Building Solutions is a second-generation family business established in 1991.
