FUSION MANCHESTER

Fusion is a 27-storey student living landmark designed around wellbeing, community and high-performance building services.

 

The scheme combines integrated amenity spaces, games room, dedicated study areas, and multiple floors of fully equipped apartments in a variety of layouts, optimised for comfort, safety and ease of management.

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Careful planning of cores, risers and plant strategy underpins efficient operations, while active ground-floor uses and shared spaces help foster a connected student community.

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Architecture & Layout

• Vertical campus: 27 levels of student accommodation with a mix of studio and cluster layouts to suit different lifestyles.

• Amenity ecosystem: Reception, study suites, games and social spaces integrated within the building for convenience and activation.

• Service-led planning: Riser strategy, plant distribution and metering designed to maximise net usable area and maintainability.

 

Novo’s Role

Novo is appointed to deliver detailed Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) design and sustainability leadership from RIBA Stage 4 through Stage 7, ensuring continuity from technical design into commissioning, handover and aftercare.

 

Scope of Services:

• Detailed M&E design (RIBA 4–7): Full building services coordination, technical assurance and construction support.

• Building specialist systems: Integration of life safety, security, access control, ICT, vertical transport interfaces and BMS.

• Interior systems coordination: Services integration across reception, study, leisure and shared amenity spaces.

• Thermal modelling & compliance: Dynamic simulations and calculations to support Part L energy compliance and final EPCs.

• Overheating assessment: Design and verification to CIBSE TM52 to meet Part O requirements.

• BREEAM support: Evidence and inputs to help achieve a BREEAM Very Good target.

• Commissioning & soft landings: Performance testing, seasonal commissioning and user fine-tuning for reliable operation.

 

Sustainability & Performance

Our approach prioritises low-carbon design, resilience and maintainability. Early modelling shapes façade and services selections; right-sized plant and smart controls reduce operational energy while safeguarding thermal comfort. The result is a robust, future-ready building-services solution aligned to regulatory compliance and long-term value.