a strong shortlist that includes OMA, zaha hadid and diller scofidio + renfro has been announced for a major new cultural space to be built in manchester, UK. known as ‘the factory’, the complex will be located at the former site of the granada TV studios, establishing a creative village within the city center. 48 applications were received for the project, from which nine were shortlisted. the architects’ journal reports the contenders as follows:

 

rafael viñoly architects
diller scofidio + renfro
bennetts associates
office of metropolitan architecture (OMA)
zaha hadid architects
simpson haugh and partners
grimshaw architects
mecanoo
haworth tompkins

 

manchester city council explains the project as follows: ‘unique and wholly different to the range of arts venues currently in the city, the factory will be a major center for the north, able to commission original works, working in partnership with leading national and international organizations to deliver major events throughout the year – along with being a permanent home to the manchester international festival (MIF).’

 

appointments are set to be made in november 2015 with a view to a planning application being submitted mid-2016. construction is planned to start in early 2017, with a targeted opening date of summer 2019.

 

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