INREB (Integration of New and Renewable Energy in Buildings) and URBED (Urban and Economic Development Group) organised an open ideas competition for a 2.2 hectare brownfield site on the edge of Manchester City Centre.  Levitt Bernstein’s entry, with Piercy Connor Architects and Whitby Bird, was voted runner-up.

In response to the challenge of climate change, we proposed an ‘urban condenser’, with a mix of uses provided vertically through one building, and neighbouring open spaces linked through horizontal green corridors. A hierarchy of green spaces, including roof gardens, enabled residents to lead greener urban lifestyles by growing their own food to reduce CO2 from food miles and promoting co-operative lifestyles.

Passive design measures were supported by a sustainable energy strategy to reduce the community’s ecological footprint drastically.