Inspired by the phallic tendancies of Swiss Re in the Country's capital, the Cooperative Insurance Society today announced a new landmark tower for Manchester, their 38 Storey tower, modelled on the chairman's.

It will be built on Shudehill and stand proudly, with an incandescent glow about it during the night. They have released a single render of this bold and excited project.

http://www.tw15t3d.co.uk/salad/images/30-storey-tower.jpg

Will there be an observation deck at the, er, top? :D

feck me lads, that England flag looks abit sore.

where on earth would you get pink rubber cladding from? lol

must be a ISA project, modeled on bernsteins u know what!

must be Bernstein's , theres no fore-skin.

It'd make a fine addition to our skyline, I heard it actually grows 20 storeys when enough people enter it.

not remotely funny.

Fantastic.

I hope it has some kind of ride or amusement. How about a ride where you get into a moist white sack and get violently fired out of the tip of the building. 200ftx200ft giant tissues will be placed around the edges of the city centre to catch the ejected people, though some may miss and be fired into buildings and onto roads, but the sack is very soft and durable and will protect people from injury, You could charge £5 a go and make an absolute fortune. :yes:












Who will repent my sins?

Sounds similar to the idea in your signature Chris ... lol :D

One of Alsops?

Umm ... A circumcised tower, who would've thought ;) :)

not remotely funny.


Is it really that depressing that side of the pennines? cheer up, spring is here! The sun is shining, women are wearing less and less!

Jon what a scoop you got there :laugh:
wrong location though, it should be on the carpark facing Manto's on Whitwoth St,,and every August it could be draped in rainbow flags,drag queens could maypole around it,singing i am ,what i am :laugh:

hello... April 1st :D

i know,,,im not fucking thick,,,:)

An enormous 38 storey erection... works for Manchester on so many levels...

I suppose it sits on two spheres as a podium.

so....is the Village gonna be relocated then or what>?

so....is the Village gonna be relocated then or what>?
Arrrrgggghhhh please tell me your joking :runaway:

xx

Fab!
http://www.cis.co.uk/images/generic/cisst_20050726.jpg

That looks so good. It's going to be amazing when it's finished.

I just hope they are reliable otherwise the electricians going to be getting very fit scaling the tower.

Very nice, much better than the bare concrete.

That must cost a fortune! Pretty good though.

don't we already have a topic on this?

looking great!

Very nice!

don't we already have a topic on this?

looking great!
There was but its gone. Bloody hacker.


Anyway am glad there getting on with it.

CIS today ,

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/manchesterpicsjuly2001.jpg

Its going to look great isnt it. You can see the reflection of the windows on the panels. It will look great glinting in the sun.Will they put the new CIS logo on in the same place as the old logo?

I took this rather shiny photo from a train pulling into Victoria today. Went upto Saddleworth Moor. Even managed to drop the camera lens first onto some rocks but the bitch survived, almost had an excuse to get a better one.
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic34.jpg

Great snaps guys, its good to finally see these going up.. Gonna be very groovy, plus I think somehow a little more continental looking, finally she covering up her bare ass.. and saving the planet in the meantime, lol.. She'll not look bad with her face lift next to the new n's..

Why are they starting near the top?

Why not?

I wonder what they will do with the ventilation slots near the top. Surely they wont cover them with solar panels as they are there for ventilation,they look a mess.

taken yesterday. SLOW progress. :sleepy:


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis.jpg

Sorry, screwed that! Here you go.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis.jpg

These tiles are going to enhance the CIS building no end. In place of the old lovely concrete effect, this new look might suggest that it is now an integral part of the office space.

In the first pic posted by caw123 - it's plain to see how the Arndale complex completely screwed up Manchester's street pattern. It looks awful from on high, like a huge gap in the fabric of the city.

You can just see the reflection of the main building on the solar panels on the core starting to take shape. This'll look great when finished

Hi Guys,

I'm probably a bit older than some on here, and here's a picture I took of CIS in 1986, looking pretty unblemished. *Note the old CIS Letters *
If CIS had reached it's present state, I wonder what they would have done with it? I'm not sure Solar Panels were available back then??


Is it worth starting a thread for old Pics of Manchester? I have a few.

P.S Spot the reliant Robin
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis1986.jpg

Yeah, start a new thred, we would love to see them

pookey, that picie goes to show that you can successfully divert traffic away from a busy road and make it a tram line - the lane coming towards us there became tram only 5 years after that picture was taken.

Off Topic I know, but I'll scan the pics I have, and start a new post, putting this in too. Giz a few days tho. Don't have many, but got a couple round CIS, and a couple of Sunley too, circa 1986. Anyone got a picture of this particular scene as it looks today?

If not, I'll take one when I'm in Manchester next.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis1986.jpg

is this where ISA got their dot dash style from i wonder :yes:

CIS from the NQ


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/mancpics18thaug004.jpg

In the first pic posted by caw123 - it's plain to see how the Arndale complex completely screwed up Manchester's street pattern. It looks awful from on high, like a huge gap in the fabric of the city.

Looking at that photo i was thinking what a mess it is.
Now i know that the whole right handside of the Arndale on Withy Grove is still under construction but the rooftops in this part of town look like they weren't repaired after the bomb!
I know it's not that important as your average Joe wont see or be interested in pictures from above...but with all these refurbishments and constructions...they leave hideous big blocks of ventilation etc that bring the view right down.

Well actually it is important when it comes to pictures of the city for promotion purposes (e.g. That one on Oxford Street of the parachutist, brochures, leaflets, blah blah).

In the first pic posted by caw123 - it's plain to see how the Arndale complex completely screwed up Manchester's street pattern. It looks awful from on high, like a huge gap in the fabric of the city.

Looking at that photo i was thinking what a mess it is.
Now i know that the whole right handside of the Arndale on Withy Grove is still under construction but the rooftops in this part of town look like they weren't repaired after the bomb!
I know it's not that important as your average Joe wont see or be interested in pictures from above...but with all these refurbishments and constructions...they leave hideous big blocks of ventilation etc that bring the view right down.

Well actually it is important when it comes to pictures of the city for promotion purposes (e.g. That one on Oxford Street of the parachutist, brochures, leaflets, blah blah). :sleepy:

Hi Guys,

I'm probably a bit older than some on here, and here's a picture I took of CIS in 1986, looking pretty unblemished. *Note the old CIS Letters *
If CIS had reached it's present state, I wonder what they would have done with it? I'm not sure Solar Panels were available back then??


Is it worth starting a thread for old Pics of Manchester? I have a few.

P.S Spot the reliant Robin
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis1986.jpg

Would love to see your old pics of Mcr from the 80's mate?

CIS yesterday (19 August 2005)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/ManchesterImages/CIS%20Tower/DSC05382.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/ManchesterImages/CIS%20Tower/DSC05405.jpg

CIS today...

http://eb.cx/q2/2005-08-20/cis-road.jpg

http://eb.cx/q2/2005-08-20/cis-closer.jpg

http://eb.cx/q2/2005-08-20/cis-nch.jpg

I dunno why people hated it so much pre-solar panels?!! The more pics I see of CIS, the more I love it, and appreciate its contribution to our skyline.. Love those recent shots guys, excellent

I wonder what'll happen to part at the top that's rapped up in green netting(?).??

But yeah, it's going to look a right beaut.

CIS today...


Glad you could be arsed to not take pics fron your car like me...!

Ooh they're beautiful...such an improvement already.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/ManchesterImages/CIS%20Tower/DSC05382.jpg

That is a great shot, i mean how professional does that look ? Wow...

We got some real good snappers on the manc sectiona ant we now...

I dunno why people hated it so much pre-solar panels?!! The more pics I see of CIS, the more I love it, and appreciate its contribution to our skyline.. Love those recent shots guys, excellent
I have always found the concrete part a bit of an eyesore espiecally when they took down the CIS logo...looked kind of derelict to me. However I saw the new solar tiles for real yesterday and they had a real quality sheen to them. Its going to look superb. Strange place to start putting the tiles on though 3/4 way up.Wonder why.

Taken today!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture032.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture029.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture033.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture031.jpg

More pics to come from various other developments! :)

Erm, incredibly wrong I suppose but I'm now of the opinion that this is my favourite piece of development in Manc right now. Sod Beetham and CJC. I didn't think the solar panels would make such a dramatic change but you can already see the difference. It'll be like a brand new tower.

I'd like the bit in green netting to be a nice shiny chrome.

Sod Beetham hell no! The panels do look better than expected though, very exciting. The bit in green netting could be where the new logo will go.

Lookin Good.

Sod Beetham and CJC dgnr8? SLAP. Pull yourself together man!

Yes stunning.
Did you witness that old tramp throw himself from the top on pic four jrb?!
Ha ha

From this Morning. Progress is still s-l-o-w :rant:
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis28aug.jpg

This is going to look like a new tower when its finished,


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/2sept002.jpg

CIS will look amazing when its finished!

Espcially if the panels are lit up at night!

Not quite in the right place to post this ... but worth mentioning in here. Manchester has another largeish solar project

In Harpurhey, they are building a new 6th form college. The south wall is clad in solar panels

More info at:

http://www.nemadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/125/125213_powered_by_the_sun.html

And while searching for this, also found this...

http://www.nemadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/125/125253_rays_of_hope_to_cut_bills_and_pollution.html

And they say the sun never shines in Manchester!

More panels going on thick and fast now.
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic36.jpg
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic37.jpg
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic38.jpg

One of the things I've always liked about CIS is the way the vents on the service tower kinda look like eyes and teeth in a robot kind of way. It's going to be odd if it loses its "face", if you know what I mean.

I love the solar panels though, they've re-invented one of Manchester's favourite highrises. I wonder if the solar panels are going to go right to the edge of the building though, it would look better that way.

Here's a fast-forward-in-time impression I produced of the completed thing then......with the special bonus of two Sears Tower-alike antennae for good measure just to boost its height officially to above the 400 feet mark! (Thanks to Highriser for the use of this pic which I have simply Photoshopped and jazzed up - hope you don't mind me using it in this way) :)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a257/MartianGray/CIStowernew2.jpg

Here's a fast-forward-in-time impression I produced of the completed thing then......with the special bonus of two Sears Tower-alike antennae for good measure just to boost its height officially to above the 400 feet mark! (Thanks to Highriser for the use of this pic which I have simply Photoshopped and jazzed up - hope you don't mind me using it in this way) :)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a257/MartianGray/CIStowernew2.jpg
You forgot the big fuck-off neon CIS sign Martin :)

No - that's gone cos it's naff! That's why I left it off! :yes:

Besides, you ain't seen my night time render of that tower yet! Why still resort to boring old neon when I have summat else lined up my sleeve? ;)

Well if it ends up looking like that, it's going to be a stunning transformation.

It probably will, in all likelihood, but minus the antennae of course. :)

I am going to e-mail CIS demanding they put the spires on. It looks so Chicago :)

..edited

Aren't all solar panels that sort of colour generally anyway?

Aren't all solar panels that sort of colour generally anyway?

Yeah, I was thinking that too as I was driving home on the Motorway. You see a lot of Solar powered whatsits at the sides of the motorway. Always the same colour. How come???

Maybe it's got summat to do with the material and the coating being of the same composition (and thus colour) in order to attract and harness the maximum natural light? Someone else here is bound to know the true scientific reason. I'm only a fucking artist! ;)

It's the nature of the photovoltaic material. It reflects the blue/violet end of the spectrum as this is not the wavelength that causes the PV effect.

Incidently, I think the panels will cover the vents at the top, or something will as the cladding rails run over the vents.

Maybe it's got summat to do with the material and the coating being of the same composition (and thus colour) in order to attract and harness the maximum natural light? Someone else here is bound to know the true scientific reason. I'm only a fucking artist! ;)

Me too .. I'm a piss artist. Must be going to M/Cr at 7 in the morning :)

Have a guess where this is from...........???

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis-kids.jpg

It's from ol' Vicky.

These panels look fine the colour they are.

It's from ol' Vicky.

These panels look fine the colour they are.


Not quite my friend, not quite.(Although you are very warm) It's still open to offers for a Bonus point....

The steps upto the MEN car park. Part of Victoria Station!

The steps upto the MEN car park. Part of Victoria Station!

Chris, I can't give you the point mate. Are you a car driver??

Must be from Cheetham Hill Road then. The wall on the left was decieving me.

Look how depressing that bare shaft looks in retrospect. :runaway:
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic17.jpg

No I don't drive pookey. Only been legally able to for a few months. (Bet that makes you feel old? :) )

Must be from Cheetham Hill Road then. The wall on the left was decieving me.

Look how depressing that bare shaft looks in retrospect. :runaway:
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic17.jpg

No I don't drive pookey. Only been legally able to for a few months. (Bet that makes you feel old? :) )

Oh now pissing hell Chris... where have you taken that pic from??

Mine was from the M.E.N Car Park. 2nd Level.

I tell you what makes me feel old.. getting up at 6 in the morning, and wandering around Manchester at some god forsaken hour, having to wrap up warm, and constantly thinking of the shortest way back to the car park.

:old:

Getting up at 6 am on a fucking Sunday just to take some grey pics of a grey building on a dull grey morning....now that's what I call the height of lunacy. :yes:

My thought's exactly Mart , madness pure madness :)

Anyway this pic fucking ace, oh i do wish that , that Vector tower was built ,that proposal got me so excited (bastards) :)
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic17.jpg

Getting up at 6 am on a fucking Sunday just to take some grey pics of a grey building on a dull grey morning....now that's what I call the height of lunacy. :yes:

The "Height" of Lunacy. I like the pun.

No, 'Lunacy' is flying an aircraft into a bright building on a bright morning.

Shiny.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P9220008copy.jpg

Today Tuesday 27th from M.E.N

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/2005_0927Image0012.jpg

Amazing what you can find when searching around!

ISG InteriorExterior wins £4.2m contract to clad CIS Tower in UK's largest ever solar project
ISG InteriorExterior, one of the UK’s leading construction companies, announces it has won a prestigious project to re-clad the CIS service tower in Manchester with photovoltaic panels. The £4.2 million contract is part of the UK’s largest ever solar project that will see all sides of the city’s tallest building being clad with solar panels that will create 180,000 units of renewable electricity each year.

The cladding of the 25-storey 122m Grade II listed building, the tallest office building outside London, represents a landmark redevelopment and is the largest vertical solar cladding project in Europe. The new cladding will protect the tower from the elements, enhance its appearance and generate significant amounts of renewable energy. The project is being supported by an £885,000 grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and a £175,000 grant from the DTI.

Work on the CIS tower, which is located in Miller Street in Manchester city centre, is managed by ISG InteriorExterior’s project manager, Philip Chadwick, and is due for completion in December 2005. The Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) chief office was built in 1962 and is now occupied by more than 4000 people, employed by the CIS and Co-operative Financial Services.

Philip Chadwick said: "The project presents us with some particular challenges as we are required to work closely with both the client and suppliers of the solar modules, which are manufactured in Japan, to ensure that delivery of the panels is carefully coordinated with the schedule of work. As with any tall building, there are also additional health and safety considerations that need to be strictly adhered to and we have the advantage of bringing best practice processes onsite from our experience of working on the BT Tower and similar projects."

Commenting on the project, Andrew Simpson, Partner at EC Harris, the client’s appointed Project Managers on the scheme said: "This is an extremely important redevelopment that demonstrates how solar technologies can be used on an impressive scale. It was important to choose a partner that was locally based and had the necessary skills to manage the project. CIS know ISG InteriorExterior well as they have worked with them successfully on two previous projects and as a team we are confident they will deliver a superior end result."

The largest solar project to ever be undertaken in the UK
01 June 2005 - EC Harris is project managing the largest solar project ever to be undertaken in the UK


The Challenge
The CIS Tower in Miller Street, Manchester is a Grade II listed building and at 400 feet in height, is a landmark building in the city. It is currently the UK’s tallest office building outside London.

Built in 1962, the service tower of the building was clad in millions of mosaic tiles. Time and pollution have taken their toll over the years and the mosaic façade was in need of refurbishment to arrest the decay and to uplift the appearance of the building.


The Solution
Repairing the existing mosaic was ruled out as a long-term solution as this had not been successful in the past. Whilst a traditional rainscreen cladding was agreed to be the best technical solution this would be costly and have a high ecological impact. Conservation restrictions were also a factor to consider.

Given the Client’s commitment to balancing profitability with socially responsible and ecologically sustainable development, photovoltaic (solar) panels were chosen as the cladding medium to help reduce the overall environmental footprint of the project, and to hopefully promote the uptake of building integrated photovoltaics.

The benefit of renewable energy, whilst preserving the remaining mosaic in-situ behind the cladding, was key to securing a clean planning and listed building consent for what is a significant change to an imposing Manchester building.


Our Role
EC Harris was involved in much of the initial research and feasibility activity to bring about the PV solution working closely with the Client, and latterly alongside Arup and Solarcentury, a London based solar PV solutions business. As Project Manager and Planning Supervisor we have added value to this project by remaining close to the Client, assisting in the assembly of a sound business case, and in securing sources of external ‘gap’ funding. This has helped make the project a financially viable proposition, whilst strongly supporting the Client’s business ethos.

This is going to look so good on a sharp bright day

http://freake.demon.co.uk/sscpics/man017.jpg

This building is beginning to look really impressive, how hard would it be to make all the black panels under the windows solar panels. This should be done a lot more across the U.K.

review of this project in builder & engineer journal. Sept 2005. Dunno if you can get it online. Doesnt say much we dont already know. It praises the scheme highly though. There is also a smaller article about City's 80m Windmill at the Council House.

From this Morning Sunday 16th.
I can't believe how long this is taking. Since I last went they've managed to stick 1 more Tile on. (Can you see it, poor thing all on it's own). Maybe it's dangerous to work near these tiles when the Sun is out, and the Sun is always out in Manchester. :)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis1610.jpg

This is taking for ever goddamit , we've not had the usual autumn gales to hamper things. Can't see it being the hot Manchester sun that is the problem :)

lol - I love that spare tile on it's own at the top, let's hope they get a move on and join it up with it's friends!

It's difficult you see, every little blue tile has to get wired up individually to someone's PC and desk light. The hand dryers in the toilets need three tiles each.

It's difficult you see, every little blue tile has to get wired up individually to someone's PC and desk light. The hand dryers in the toilets need three tiles each.

:hilarious

Will those vents area at the top be covered do you think? And will the CIS logo fit over the tiles?

Will those vents area at the top be covered do you think? And will the CIS logo fit over the tiles?

From the Renders I've seen, no. The Vents will be left uncovered, and the CIS Log will be put back as it was.
There should be a render of the finished article on the Developments thread. :)

CIS/Shudehill
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/PA170345copy.jpg

Excellent Pic Chris. Is that from the Printworks area?

What mickey mouse firm have they got on this project?

I reckon the CJC will be complete before this publicity stunt gets completed.

What mickey mouse firm have they got on this project?

I reckon the CJC will be complete before this publicity stunt gets completed.

Hamnet. It is a joke, it makes you realise how little is happening with this project when you walk around Manchester and see the progress everywhere else. It seems to have come to a stop again. I don't know what the deadline was but it must be way over now. I hope CIS didn't pay by the hour. :down:

Yeah - agree this cladding is occurring at snail's pace.

Has anyone been in to see the exhibition of the solar-clad building near the main reception?

Work is now expected to finish in January. Expect some fairly high profile media coverage from atop this high rise in the not too distant future.

Has anyone been in to see the exhibition of the solar-clad building near the main reception?

No, I haven't Kebab. It's made me think though. Maybe we could have a thread of the Inside of some of our Talls. I've always wondered what the Lobby in CIS is like. I've heard it's very nice.

^^there's a model of how Manchester's tallest building for 40odd years will look after the reclad, plus some exhibitions on how it works, you piss taking bugger. It's probably the Manc equivalent of Braftfurt cleaning its town hall clock.

^^there's a model of how Manchester's tallest building for 40odd years will look after the reclad, plus some exhibitions on how it works, you piss taking bugger. It's probably the Manc equivalent of Braftfurt cleaning its town hall clock.

I wasn't joking.
Apparently.......
The spacious entrance hall carries a fibreglass mural by William Mitchell. The interior cherry and teak veneers were researched and recommended by Misha Black and the Design Research Team

Most Lobbies are quite smart.

Will it still have its "face"?

You know what I mean. It's important. It kinda looks like...





...like Bender out of Futurama.

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:XdDHmlksMGUJ:www.futurama.ru/images/futurama_bender.jpg

yeh there is a fibre glass mural,i wouldn't say it was a very attractive piece tho,lol. there's also a model,about a metre high,of what how the building will look in the lobby at the moment,its been there for a while. dnt know if someone else has said this not been on for a while cant be arsed readin back.

What mickey mouse firm have they got on this project?

I reckon the CJC will be complete before this publicity stunt gets completed.

I'm sure I read that this re-clad was due to take 12 months and be finished for December but they started late so I'd say a Janurary finish is about on schedule.

does seem to be taking an awful long time this re-clad, I'm still not sure if I actually like it or not..hopefully the finished article will change my mind, I really hope so anyway, I've always liked this building.

For that Roly, you get 200 lines. Write I love the CIS solar panels 200 times and do not leave until you have done so.

You are entitled to your own opinion, but only up to a point. After which, abuse and torture may become necessary. :runaway:

..edited

Firstly, I'm only jesting, you know that. I was making a reference to the fact that sometimes dissention isn't always tolerated here.

My own take on the CIS is that the blue tiles are a massive improvement on the former streaked concrete look. I've never been too keen on that service shaft anyway, so I'm happy that it's getting this attention. Aesthetically, it looks ok to me, even if it is now black AND blue.

Besides, I love the colour. I'm not overly keen on Beetham's colour as I've said before, but hopefully when they remove the white card from the windows and we see the full impact of the cladding as it changes towards the top, I'll warm to it.

..edited

It'll be nice roly. The blue will reflect of the windows and the black grilles on the service tower will key into the black on the officey bit. Which is why I'm trying to check that the grilles will remain.

xx

Thanks spider.

Looks like they've finally decided to carry on putting the panels on today aswell as the new CIS logo at the top, only had a quick look as I was driving past but the signs don't look too clever, blue writing with a white background, they look like they've been painted on!

I wont be in town til saturday, any chance of a pic someone?

Surely not permanent..........
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/PB010034copy.jpg

:runaway:

Glad to see you back Caw, been seriously missing your photos.

looks like a fabric banner to me so I would say definitely not. Whens this going to be finished, it seems to have been in limbo for ages (and missed the summer too)?

It could be permanent. Many of the huge signs above shops on retail parks are made of frabric.

Naw. It's got the rails behind it for the solar panels.

It isnt permanent.

Look at the renderings, its more groovy than that.

Phew! lol - I wouldn't like that poster sign to be a permenant fixture.

I'm sure they wouldn't spend all that money just to ruin the end effect by spending a few bob less on signs!

Just came back on the late train from Leeds and there's a column of bright lights going up the top quarter of the solar block. Any info? Very sleepy now.

I have a feeling its Gods light illuminating the tower and blessing its reclad, although I could be wrong...

Just came back on the late train from Leeds and there's a column of bright lights going up the top quarter of the solar block.

I noticed that also, when coming back fom london.

According to BBCi Tony Blair officially switched the solar panels on today:

Tower's solar panels switched on

The grade II listed building is a Manchester landmark
Solar panels on the side of the tallest building in Manchester have been switched on by the prime minister.
Tony Blair switched on the panels on the south side of the CIS Tower on Thursday, feeding the solar power into the national grid.

Work on all the panels, which cover three sides of tower, is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

The tiles will work whatever the weather and will create enough energy to make 9m cups of tea.

The 28-storey listed building was the tallest in Europe when it was built by the Cooperative Insurance Company in 1962.


Enough electricity to make nine million cups of tea will be generated

It is now home to Co-operative Financial Services (CFS).

David Anderson, Chief Executive of CFS, said: "We are delighted that the prime minister has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit this important environmental project in the centre of Manchester.

"The building, which is Grade II listed, is now more than 40 years old and the small mosaic tiles that clad the service tower of the building needed replacing and solar panels are the ideal solution.

"They will not only protect the tower from the elements but will also enhance its appearance and generate significant amounts of renewable energy, regardless of the weather."

Work on the £5.5 million project began late last year. It is being supported by a £885,000 grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and a £175,000 grant from the Department of Trade & Industry.

Bryan Gray, Chairman of the NWDA, said: "This project highlights that as climate change continues to move up the political agenda, the North West is yet again leading the way for the rest of the UK."

Latest pics!

2nd Nov!

http://www.cis.co.uk/images/generic/cisst_200511022.jpg

2nd November!

http://www.cis.co.uk/images/generic/cisst_200511021.jpg

21st September! Wow!

http://www.cis.co.uk/images/generic/cisst_200509212.jpg

More stunning pics and regular updates and info!

http://www.cis.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?cid=1116834043935&pagename=CoopBank/Page/tplBlank&c=Page

The 28-storey listed building was the tallest in Europe when it was built by the Cooperative Insurance Company in 1962.

Can't believe that even the BBC gets that wrong. It was the 3rd tallest.

Can't believe that even the BBC gets that wrong. It was the 3rd tallest.

I believe it was the tallest *office* block.

Whats this got to do with Tony Blair. Does he think we're stupid or somthing. Pressing a button which you didnt put a penny to, wont make up for the Metrolink being cancelled.

Work on all the panels, which cover three sides of tower, is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

They'll have to get a move on if they want it looking like this by the end of the year...
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40459000/jpg/_40459845_cistower203.jpg

The crappy banner is now gone. I wouldn't be surprised if it blew down considering todays moscovite weather.

Think they just used em for Blair's visit

Think they just used em for Blair's visit
Nah....they would've used a Welcome Tory Blair banner for that....

Nice!(not T)

http://www.cis.co.uk/images/generic/cisst_200511031.jpg

are we having a caption of the week competition?

Poor Tony, he makes an effort to come up North and give one of our buildings a publicity boost and he all he gets is abuse, on a Skyscraper forum!

OK! Who's the joker

http://freake.demon.co.uk/sscpics/tony.jpg

rofl

things must be bad, are you on feeding/winding duty tonight?? Don't worry, it's a temporary blip

Nah! She is sleeping soundly and nature didn't equip me for the feeding thing. Always been a night bird

have you never heard of expressing milk? don't mention it to mrs dj, she'll get ideas above her station........)

I'm a night bird too. It's always been my time

Shhhhhh

Hey DJ, I know how you feel, my boy was born on the 12th October, and he's a right little sausage, wants to eat at night almost every two hours, I'm becoming an insomniac!

I'm glad they are cladding all the way round the tower, like the model shows, makes it looks much better ;)

Where can I get a model like that of CIS?

Taken on Tuesday:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/Accura/DSC00042.jpg

Hmmmm, on a sunny day I think it will look fantastic, it should in theory shine (you can see the office part of the building reflecting onto the solar anels on the side in Accura's pic). On the gloomy day I'm not so sure, it might look, well, a bit daft. It's probably due to the fact that it is way too different in colour to the office tower. The grey looked better IMO form a distance in relation to the colour of the office part of the building.

this loooks soo much more modern, clean, sleek, and original!!! It does look unmistakable, and the solar panels (given their modern cladding look) bring the whole building up to date!

Fantastic move! The darker panels just make it look more mysterious and exciting.

I like shiny stuff....

And I like colourful stuff...

mmmm..... shiny..... pretty colours........ :drool: ..... sorry :hammer:

Looks very cool, I like it.

Shiny happy people :)

http://www.aidan.co.uk/lg/ManTwnHallCisVw5406.jpg

Dont post that in here CAW will get jealous.

They really are taking their bloody time getting this finished aren't they? What's keeping them? Do they have to import each individual solar panel by boat from Scandinavia or summat? You'd almost be forgiven for thinking that wouldn't you? ;)

Dont post that in here CAW will get jealous.

He gets up bloody every tower around does Aidan.

CIS on a shitty Thursday afternoon. Most of the panels are on.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/caw123/PB100055copy.jpg

looks like its wearing body armour. I smell war.

I actually think they've accelerated the panel laying progress of late. It was painstakingly slow at one point, but now they've got a mad rush on. Looks very smart ;)

They really are taking their bloody time getting this finished aren't they? What's keeping them? Do they have to import each individual solar panel by boat from Scandinavia or summat? You'd almost be forgiven for thinking that wouldn't you? ;)

The PV panels are actually being made by Sharp in Wrexham.

http://sharp-world.com/solar/point/site.html

xx

Wow! Great pics and almost complete on on two sides, may be three? Shame! :)

22nd November, in the fog!

http://www.cis.co.uk/images/generic/cisst_200511221.jpg

http://www.cis.co.uk/images/generic/cisst_200511222.jpg

http://www.cis.co.uk/images/generic/cisst_200511223.jpg

http://www.cis.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?cid=1116834043935&pagename=CoopBank/Page/tplBlank&c=Page

They're fantastic shots! Did you get permission to go inside and get that first shot then? Seems like a lot has suddenly happened in the week since I last passed by there and took these pics below:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c8/Basher65/PB160188s.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c8/Basher65/PB160189s.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c8/Basher65/PB160190s.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c8/Basher65/PB160191s.jpg

Think he got them off the CIS Website Martin.

There is also something very weird going on here too - those pics I took above in the sunset were on the 16th November - yet CAW has posted up a pic of the Solar panels further up on this page showing them in a more advanced state of completion than in these pics of mine - and yet his post is dated 11th November. That can't be right. What's going on????

Did you accidently walk through a timewarp-wormhole? ;)

Seriously - it's fucking freaky - I took those pics last Wednesday (16th Nov) and that was what they looked like - and yet there are MORE panels along the service core when CAW's pic was put up on the 11th November at the top of the page. Did they take some off again or summat?

Seriously, the two are probably basically the same, just the different camera angle and weather playing tricks with the light.

It doesn't look like that to me though. They DO appear different. :?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/caw123/PB100055copy.jpghttp://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c8/Basher65/PB160190s.jpg

I can see one or two small differences, but nothing major. Maybe I'm blind though.

Martin, yours has that green lift at the top, CAWs doesn't.

Actually, you may be right.....there is bally all different about the two configs - perhaps it IS just a trick of the [far brighter evening] light of my pics after all.....

Totally off topic, but talking about weird lighting, there's a half moon out tonight, but it's not vertical, it's almost totally horizontal, at least where I'm looking at it from. Don't see that too often, must be in a weird position in relation to the sun.

Have you been forgetting to take your pills again Martin? tsk tsk.... :nuts:

Have you been forgetting to take your pills again Martin? tsk tsk.... :nuts:


I ALWAYS forget to take my pills - as everybody knows! :crazy:

this is taking a rather long time

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/rolybling/cis.jpg

Its going to take time. This isnt just reclading with windows. They are putting solar Panels on the side of a building. Solar Panels also require wiring and other stuff.

One taken last week - must be near completion now - Anybody know what's happening to the building on the right

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d144/legin3/nnng002.jpg

Probably just a clean up. That there building has some rather expensive flats in (pa's bezzie mate lives up there) so I doubt the thing will be getting replaced or anything.

i pass this tower almost every day on the way to work but those sunset pictures earlier are fooking amazing. it looks unreal there! cant wait to see it once everything is all finally wrapped up. :)

Taken today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture253.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture254.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture281.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture282.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture283.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture284.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture291.jpg

Loving how this has turned out.. Great Photies there. I could be fooled into thinking this tower wasn't as old as it is with the quality of the panels over the concrete.. It will make it look much more appealin on the skyline and give it that little bit more charm and character. This, along with our Sunley re-clad, we're not doin too bad are we really..

CIS on Wednesday night
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/Accura/DSC00311.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture253.jpg

Wow...only thing that ruins it that horrid car park...

JRB

You've been busy today JRB. I think you're treading my old footsteps albeit at a more civilised time of the day.
Great pics, I'm surprised how quickly they've picked the pace up with this now. It seemed to be taking an age, now it looks almost done. :)

Great pics everybody, it really does look amazing with the solar power panels.

I did this for SSP


http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/617/cistheverylast6bl.gif (http://imageshack.us)


It's the main drawing now for the CIS :banana:

Can't wait to see this new cladding glinting in the summer sun.

CIS today

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/december13th016.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/december13th014.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/december13th010.jpg

Looks pretty crisp for a forty-year-old.

I will reserve my final judgement until when its finished, but they could have made it match the window cladding, or even matched the colour, maybe all black or all silver. Having said that, solar panels may be restricted to blue, they all seem to be blue.

Im sure that in the dark winter months, especially when it rains all day, the total power generated will be just enough to raise the bollard for car park :)

Seems strange to say but with the cladding on this being all glass (in effect), Beetham, Eastgate, Albany....maybe we need a bit of stone cladding (erm or concrete again!) on some Manc buildings...we are gonna look like Dallas cBobby Ewing time!

Erm.... then again sound ungrateful...5 years ago who would have thought!

Are they doing anything to the vents? Bit of meshing perhaps? They look a little forlorn from those photeys, though I'm quite liking the overall effect.

A few pics of CIS on Christmas Eve. Not sure there's much more to go apart from the CIS sign and a few bits here and there... don't know who that guy in the top left is :tongue2:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/vertigoscraper/CIS/CISs241205.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/vertigoscraper/CIS/DSCF0045.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/vertigoscraper/CIS/DSCF0046.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/vertigoscraper/CIS/DSCF0048.jpg

That is looking great now, cheers :)

Pity, they should clad the sides of the Sunley Tower with those solar panels. Although, the CIS Building didn't look too bad to start with the panels have made it look even better. Be nice when its finished.

Anyone know how much longer before its all done?

Its looking great now, but does anyone know what they're planning for the concrete bits they've left bare at the top (or is that where the signs going)?

Its looking great now, but does anyone know what they're planning for the concrete bits they've left bare at the top (or is that where the signs going)?
I believe they are air-intakes/vents for the plant-room (AC/heating) quizzie.

Although after looking at it again, one of the sections just could be where the sign will go.

Erm? Arse!

Images will be uploaded tomorrow.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture155.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture158.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture157.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture161.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture159.jpg

Here's a little snippet from the BBc News web site today:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4567928.stm


Top 10 green energy schemes named

Ten new green energy projects have been named as best in the UK for leading the way in cutting carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy.

The schemes, which began operation in 2005, were exciting and innovative, the Department of Trade and Industry said.

They include offshore turbines in Kent, the solar-powered CIS tower in Manchester and a wave buoy in Cornwall.

A target of supplying 10% of the UK's electricity from renewable energy by 2010 has been set by the government.

Energy minister Malcolm Wicks said: "The projects highlighted have certainly made their contribution to reducing carbon emissions and increasing the megawatt capacity that comes from green sources."

'Considerable progress'

He said they had also helped people understand "what renewable energy is and where it comes from", and added it was essential for the UK to make "considerable year on year progress" if the 2010 renewable energy target was to be met.

The list includes three wind farms, three solar-power projects, and two examples of microgeneration, or projects with lower outputs.

According to the government, the 30-turbine Kentish Flats wind farm has been described as "the Ferrari of the turbine world".

Black Law A in South Lanarkshire was one of the largest wind farms approved in the UK, and the Cefn Croes project near Aberystwyth the most powerful when it opened in June.

The CIS tower in Manchester - the city's tallest building - was on course to be the biggest user of solar panels in the UK.

And the biomass plant in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, was singled out for producing a "revolutionary new wood pellet bio fuel", created by burning sawdust and woodchips.

The wave buoy project off the north Cornwall coast was highlighted as a project that would "speed up the installation of one of the world's first wave farms".

The site is being investigated as a possible wave hub location - an offshore electrical socket that would be connected to the national grid.

Also included in the list are:

# Spen Valley Sports College, West Yorkshire - microgeneration.

# Eden Project, Cornwall - solar power.

# Nissan Motor Plant, Sunderland - microgeneration.

# Science Museum, London - solar power.

Accompanied by a slightly bizarre picture of the CIS tower:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41168000/jpg/_41168788_greencis2.jpg

They even work when it's foggy. Although don't expect 9 million cups of tea all at once

http://www.cis.co.uk/images/generic/cisst_200511222.jpg

Environmentally friendly it might be, but I think (visually speaking) the results are a bit of a dog's breakfast.

Even the most sartorially challengened knows that you don't wear two items of patterned clothing at the same time - and the same, surely, applies to buildings. I can't believe it wasn't possible to come up with something better aesthetically than that.

The CIS may well be able to use this PR stunt to crow about its green credentials (they'd probably have got similar (and cheaper) results with a dedicated wind turbine somewhere in Lancashire) - but they've made a mess of one of Manchester's tallest buildings in the process.

At least it's not Paisley

That's a great improvement! How much energy is going to be produced I wonder?

Noone really knows, but enough to make 9 million cups of tea apparently.

Although being slightly less cynical, there's more information on the CIS web site:

http://www.cis.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?cid=1116834043894&pagename=CoopBank/Page/tplBlank&c=Page

Hamnet, it's ok to mix and match chequered patterns.

Just don't mix polka-dots with stripes....

I just felt my wrist go limp then....

I dissagree with hamnet too, the tower looks 100% better now. The the piss stained concrete shaft was an eyesore. Ok, the main tower is a large grid pattern and the solar tiles have a small grid pattern,does that matter?

Hamnet, it's ok to mix and match chequered patterns.

Just don't mix polka-dots with stripes....

I just felt my wrist go limp then....

Cheers for the tip Madam :laugh:

I dissagree with hamnet too, the tower looks 100% better now. The the piss stained concrete shaft was an eyesore. Ok, the main tower is a large grid pattern and the solar tiles have a small grid pattern,does that matter?
I agree. Looks fantastic now.

Another one who disagree's with hamnet. I think the solar panels really look good on the CIS building, and goes well with the glass facade on the other main office block tower.

Environmentally friendly it might be, but I think (visually speaking) the results are a bit of a dog's breakfast.

Even the most sartorially challengened knows that you don't wear two items of patterned clothing at the same time - and the same, surely, applies to buildings. I can't believe it wasn't possible to come up with something better aesthetically than that.

The CIS may well be able to use this PR stunt to crow about its green credentials (they'd probably have got similar (and cheaper) results with a dedicated wind turbine somewhere in Lancashire) - but they've made a mess of one of Manchester's tallest buildings in the process.

I used to work in that building and can say that it really has improved the look the building. The old 3cm square tiles also meant that there were two patterns to the building, so there has been no change there, just a vast improvement in one of the patterns. I do concede that it is more part of the CIS's marketing of itself as the ultra green organisation. They would probably have got far more Kilowatthours for there money if there had put it into a windfarm up in Lancashir or Yorks or somewhere rural (gloucestershire maybe??). The again there is a lot of opposition to these windfarms spoiling the rural landscape. This way the CIS shows how green it is without pissing off the country bumpkins. Clever lot at the CIS!!

Arup are the world leaders in eco developments and have vast experience with solar energy, I understand they were consultants for the CIS tower.

here is a link to their Photovoltaics intro page. Ive tried to find reference to the CIS in manchester but i cant find anything, but they have such a huge portfollio that only major jobs get listed.

http://www.arup.com/spain/newsitem.cfm?pageid=7660

some interesting facts in there. such as

That a 200 miles x 200 miles photovoltaics installation in the Middle East could source all the planet's energy.

That a 200 miles x 200 miles photovoltaics installation in the Middle East could source all the planet's energy.

Is that serious? How much would it cost? Surely not that much?

Never happen though, the US would not allow it.

Aidan.

http://www.aidan.co.uk/lg/ManCisSolarPanels5Z19.jpg


The addition of the panels has radically altered the appearance of this landmark listed building - for the worse in my opinion. Do the environmental benefits outweigh the aesthetic considerations?

I used to work in that building and can say that it really has improved the look the building. The old 3cm square tiles also meant that there were two patterns to the building, so there has been no change there, just a vast improvement in one of the patterns. I do concede that it is more part of the CIS's marketing of itself as the ultra green organisation. They would probably have got far more Kilowatthours for there money if there had put it into a windfarm up in Lancashir or Yorks or somewhere rural (gloucestershire maybe??). The again there is a lot of opposition to these windfarms spoiling the rural landscape. This way the CIS shows how green it is without pissing off the country bumpkins. Clever lot at the CIS!!

I'm not against sustainable energy - in fact I think the greenness of buildings should form an essential part of the planning process - I just think the CIS have missed an opportunity here to create a green AND visually appealing upgrade to a prime piece of real estate.

For what it's worth (and it may well be zilch) I think the finished results are disappointing. The gaps by the 'air vents' give the impression that they ran out of tiles, and the simultaneous effect of the patterned service tower AND patterned main building is not a look I can see catching on.

That doesn't mean I think that (to quote Oscar9) "the piss stained concrete shaft" was significantly better, just that I expected the results (after such a seemingly ludicrous and painstaking amount of time) to have been better.

As for windfarms - I'm neither rabidly for or against them. What I do know though is that efforts should be made to aggressively reduce energy consumption rather than scrabbling about with increasingly extravagant ways to feed unsustainable energy usages.

My bet is that an independent analysis of the amount of energy put into producing and installing these tiles against the projected output would make interesting reading.

I don't know what the figures are but I would imagine it would take a few years before the savings on energy overtake the cost of installing the solar tiles,still a good move by CIS imo.Hamnet, how could have they improved the look using solar tiles? I thought solar tiles had to be that colour and size :dunno: Personally I love the sheen and texture of the tiles.When those rails are taken down and the new logo put up it will be ace, regarding the vents I think they will have new slats or something to nicely finish the tower off.

^ Yeh, they'll have to tidy the vents up...won't they?...gulp...y'never know...

31.12.05
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/ferge1985/IMAG0525.jpg

^....job's a good'n.... :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: ....ffs...

When I use em you complain, when I don't you ....complain
so, FFS, exactly!

eh?

(great piccy btw)

The addition of the panels has radically altered the appearance of this landmark listed building - for the worse in my opinion. Do the environmental benefits outweigh the aesthetic considerations?
I used to like him but he talks out of his arse a lot. Would he rather we had the fucking drab concrete block? The aesthetics of this building have improved 100 fold with the addition of these panels.

Aidan O'Rourke likes Manchester's history, but in a way that is far too conservative.

Yes, he's good with the camera, but I don't agree with many of his oppinions. Still, it would be a boring, less colourful world, if we all had the same oppinion wouldn't it?

hamnet
"I'm not against sustainable energy - in fact I think the greenness of buildings should form an essential part of the planning process"

as the Arup web page says, they are working with the EU to introduce laws that force any development of any size to have solar generating technology.

does Aiden O'Rourke ever come on this manchester forum?
he could be lurking, or hiding beneath another name.
whatever happened to that subtract bloke? i supposed the initial excitement of when you first find this forum does wear off :) just like any forum really.
My first was at neo-geo.com, and then this, a brief spell at FC united forum and then I always keep coming back on here. (cos i love you guys so much) :) ......and my city.

i used to rely on Aiden's photos on Manc Online for updates when I was in exile. Generally very good and he covers all sorts of different aspects of the city. He can be a bit NIMBY sometimes

But then I discovered this place. So many more pictures

CIS from Ancoats retail park.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture02912.jpg

I hope they do something with the grey grill bit, it looks shit.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/caw123/P1200015copy.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/caw123/P1170016copy.jpg

Definitely looks like Bender.

http://www.linkmesh.com/images/TV/Futurama/4.jpg

Isn't the grey grill part where the cis sign's going back on?

I think the larger of the 2 grey bits is the ventilation.

Hi guys. The CIS sign is back on top of the tower and it looks fantastic. Brings back all sorts of memories. To allay any concerns re: the grill/ ventilation bit at the top of the tower, that actually looks really good too now that the sign is in place!

Pictures anyone? I cant see it stuck out here in Sale :(

Here.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/caw123/P1240034copy.jpg

Might as well throw this in as well, the Sackville/Portland St CIS has it's windmills going on:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/caw123/P1250049copy.jpg

A magnificent building/tower. Only The Gerkin and Beetham can/will rival it.
It will always stand the test of time. Those solar panels close up are spectacular,espcially when the light hits them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0191.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0200.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0211.jpg

See what I mean. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0244.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0288.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0255.jpg

My fav. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0222.jpg

Great shots there. Shudehill Interchange has turned out far better then expected. It was a Simpson job?

Any idea why they're waiting to add the solar panels at the top?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0211.jpg

Skymann these are ventilation grilles so they cannot cover them I suppose. @ Farsight, I see your robot face now.