Chips building is legacy of maverick architect
TRIBUTES TO ‘GENIUS’ WHOSE VISION CREATED NEW ISLINGTON
IT was the humble chip that inspired Will Alsop to create one of Manchester’s most recognisable buildings.
The revered architect, who died this week, was the mastermind behind not just the Chips building, but also the urban village which surrounds it - New Islington.
Back in 2002 New Islington, in Ancoats, was better known as the Cardroom Estate.
A rough hand-drawn sketch was jotted down by Alsop as he worked with Urban Splash to develop a strategic framework and masterplan for the area. A close friend says it shows his ‘maverick mind’ in action.
Alsop had the vision to transform the area into an inner-city village that would connect the Ashton and Rochdale canals and extend the city centre to the north.
What followed was a major redevelopment of historic mills which populated the estate. They have since been redeveloped into flats and apartments as well as new builds.
But at the centre of the redevelopment was Alsop’s nowfamous Chips building - so called because it looks like a stack of fat chips balancing on top of each other. The striking eightstorey building has become one of the most obvious landmarks in the trendy and popular new suburb.
Hundreds of homes, workspaces and community facilities, like a health centre, Cottonfield park, New Islington free school, the Metrolink and the marina populate New Islington.
Alsop, who died on Saturday aged 70, worked on the New Islington strategic framework with Urban Splash, who led the project.
Described as a ‘maverick genius,’ Alsop was famed for his unusual visions, including Peckham Library - which won the 2000 Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling prize.
Urban Splash chairman Tom Bloxham MBE knew Alsop well and describes him as ‘fun, inspiring and great company.’
“He’s one of the world’s great maverick geniuses who loved life, red wine, painting - and all of humanity,” he said.
“He was always great fun to be with and crucially, understood cities; he predicted the Northern Powerhouse with his attempts to connect Northern cities like Hull to Leeds, Bradford and Manchester and Liverpool.
“His vision helped create a brand new village for Manchester at New Islington by Ancoats - creating what is now one of the best areas of the city. From what was once the notorious ‘Cardroom Estate’ - it is home to hundreds of homes, workspaces and to great community facilities, like a health centre, Cottonfield park, New Islington free school and marina.
“So much of that came from Will’s maverick mind. Fifteen years ago, we worked alongside him to develop the initial vision for the area; the New Islington strategic framework would connect the Ashton and Rochdale canals and extend the city centre to the north. So much of it is now a reality and sparked a massive change in the area.
“In Chips, Will’s distinctive architectural style was prevalent and it’s resulted in a colourful, iconic new piece of Manchester. The world is a poorer, less colourful place now that we have lost him.”