Mansion House apartments get traditional tree topping out
House by Urban Splash, has reignited the ancient tradition of ‘topping out’ and held a traditional tree topping out ceremony at the top of its Mansion House apartments.
It was in celebration of the completion of the main structure of its groundbreaking sustainable housing concept – a first for Manchester.
The event took place during the afternoon of Tuesday, March 10, at New Islington Marina, Manchester, and the topping out ceremony encompassed the age-old tradition of placing a tree on the building and toasting the success with a beer – a nod towards the Netherlands and Flanders builders of old who received beer from the building’s owner upon completion.
The new waterside apartments, which overlook New Islington Marina, have been created offsite in a factory in Bilbao where each building is created as a series of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels.
As a much more sustainable material than traditional options, like steel and concrete, the panels have been transported to the UK and assembled on site here in Manchester by a small specialised team and Manchester construction partners Artez.
As well as using modern methods of construction, keeping waste to a minimum and ensuring accuracy, the CLT gives the homes a unique look.
Providing a stunning aesthetic, the exposed CLT forms the main structure, as well as the internal walls and ceilings, while, importantly, providing a highly-rated insulation performance throughout the year – keeping the homes cool in the Summer and cosy in the Winter.
From its beginnings in Northern Spain, where the Radiata pine is grown in sustainable forests with PEFC certification, the wood has its own passport which advises which area and year it comes from.
The ceremony welcomed many guests who braved the traditional Manchester rain, enjoyed the amazing views over the city, and enjoyed some delicious Basque food and drink.
A CGI of the completed apartments
Jonathan Falkingham, from Urban Splash, said: “It’s long been a construction convention to place a tree on the roof of a new building, followed by a celebratory beer or two, and we’re happy we’ve brought this back to Manchester.
“The tree is symbolic of the incredible design, construction, people and materials that have been used to create these exciting modular homes.”
He added: “The Mansion House apartments boast incredible dual-aspect views, including over the Marina and New Islington’s Cotton Field Park.
“As with other House by Urban Splash homes, the environmentally-innovative homes give customers the choice to create the space they desire, with nine flexible apartment options on offer.”
