Manchester School of Art

‘Window on the Arts’

Manchester School of Art began in the 19th century to train artists and designers for the growing textile industry in the city and is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the UK.

Training students for industry remains an important objective for the Art School, and a key part of FCBStudios’ design brief was to create spaces that help students bridge the gap between education and professional life.

This short film describes how FCBStudios’ modern interpretation of the traditional warehouse typology celebrates the commonalities of the various art and design disciplines and encourages students to work alongside each other in a terraced hybrid environment, rather than working in the silos common to many art and design establishments.

With its vast glazed façade, it is also a building that proudly showcases its students’ work to all who pass by through its ‘Window on the Arts’.