“A copper-clad giant” someone once called it. That’s the Pariser Building for you. Standing proudly on Sackville Street it’s more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a testament to post-war Manchester and the vision of Alderman Sir Maurice Pariser.
The Pariser Building wasn’t always called that. Originally the Civil Engineering Building it was part of UMIST’s expansion. The University Grants Committee’s funding dictated its construction. This led to a unique design three distinct parts a tower flanked by workshop blocks. This phased construction allowed for flexibility in the building’s development.
The nine-story tower stands tall. Its north-south axis is deliberate. It’s perpendicular to the Renold Building. It creates a peaceful quad within the campus masterplan. The building’s services were cleverly positioned on the west and south sides. This minimized traffic and enhanced the tranquility of the central space.
The Pariser Building’s design wasn’t arbitrary. The architect aimed to “express its function externally”. The top two floors housed mechanical plant and a rooftop laboratory. These were highlighted with different materials and a copper cladding. This mirrored other Fairhurst projects on Brunswick Street.
But the Pariser Building was more than just a functional space. The College Principal V B Bowden had a vision. He saw new buildings as teaching aids. A hut was built on-site for students to study the building’s construction. Academics even published studies as the building rose. The structure itself became a lesson. The building’s materials were deliberately exposed for educational purposes. Even the doors in the Building Department showcased a variety of common timbers.
The architects cleverly designed flexible floor plates. This was in anticipation of future uses. However the building’s distinct elements partly reflected the limitations of the funding streams. The Pariser Building shows a clear lineage to Fairhurst’s earlier work a distinct architectural family resemblance. The style and materials were clearly influenced by pre-war designs. Fairhurst was still a family firm back then.
Today the Pariser Building stands as a reminder of Manchester’s ambition and innovation. It’s a powerful symbol of a city rebuilding itself after wartime destruction. It’s more than just an academic building. It’s a piece of Manchester’s history a lesson in architecture a story etched in brick and copper.