Mirrors from the wide range of stainless steel products offered by GEC Anderson have been included within a striking new facility developed for the young people of East Manchester, enhancing both the aesthetics and the safe operation of the building.
The £6.6milion HideOut Youth Zone, built by Domis Construction on the old Gorston baths site in the Hyde district of the city, is based upon the successful OnSide Youth Zones 21st Century Youth Facility Model. The development of the centre, which is expected to attract some 1,600 young people each week, was supported by local philanthropist, Fred Done, and Manchester City Council.
In total, 16 of the 1000 x 500 mm highly polished, 1mm thick stainless steel mirrors were supplied for both the general and accessible washroom areas. Widely used in public toilets and sports facilities, the mirrors tough, unbreakable nature will both enhance long term maintenance implications and negate the injury risk presented by glass alternatives.
Lisa McFarlane, a Director at the Manchester based lead consultants, Seven Architecture, commented “We were keen to design a truly iconic building for the young people of East Manchester; to give them a real sense of pride and ownership. Its fantastic to see so much support for the scheme. This is the second Youth Zone we have been involved in designing in the region, with another due to get under way soon in Warrington. With this being a design and build project, the final specification lies with the main contractor, but stainless steel was preferred for the mirrors as a health and safety consideration, basically being a robust but attractive material”.
