Context

The Maggie's Centre in Manchester is designed by Foster + Partners and features interior and exterior use of purpose-made Staffordshire Blue clay quarry tiles and pavers.

Requirement

Staffordshire Blue quarry tiles were used for the interior flooring, with matching blue pavers on the veranda. Almost 16,000 of the pavers were used in the outside spaces, with dimensions of 215 x 102.5 x 50mm. A bullnose header detail, together with bullnose interior and exterior returns were employed to finish off the external paving on a raised terrace area surrounding the building, which impart a softer, more impressive edge.

The structural columns of the building incorporate 'clay feet' which protect the columns and provide a neat junction with the surround pavers. For these areas, Ketley Brick manufactured specials based on 3D prints supplied by Foster + Partners. The special pavers were cut from fired solid blocks and then shaped to the required shape and dimensions.

Testimonial

“Visual continuity between outside and inside spaces was an important consideration in our choice of flooring at Manchester’s Maggie’s Centre, as was its character, durability and texture. Slip resistance is important for the health and wellbeing of the visitors to the Centre. Ketley’s Staffordshire blue quarry tiles delivered the reassurance that we were looking for on all counts.”

Darron Haylock, Partner, Foster + Partners