An Elevated Experience
The MAG Pavilion, commissioned by Manchester Airport Group, was envisioned as a distinctive and memorable setting designed to elevate both client and visitor experiences. The concept centred on the integration of two pre-existing shipping containers: one repurposed as a marketing suite for presentations and meetings, and the other adapted into a café bar to support event hosting and contribute to the vibrancy of the surrounding public realm.
Sector | Public Realm, Events
Completion | Concept
Client | Manchester Airport Group
Strategically positioned at the foot of the Airport City Bridge, the Pavilion acts as a visual anchor at the end of a key pedestrian route, establishing a strong focal point for the adjacent piazza. Throughout the design process, the scheme evolved with a clear focus on delivering a low-cost, flexible, and relocatable event space – capable of deployment across various sites within the wider Manchester Airport campus.
The resulting structure is both bold and refined in form: a rectangular-section shell, prefabricated off-site as a self-supporting enclosure that wraps around the two containers. This form serves dual purposes – providing a defined internal plaza for events and gatherings, while also functioning as a communications platform. Sixteen graphic panel faces line the structure, facing both internally and outwardly, offering adaptable surfaces for branding, messaging, or promotional content.
Above the café container, a mezzanine level houses an additional bar, offering elevated views across the piazza and creating an ideal setting for corporate events. This area is sheltered by a retractable tensile canopy, allowing for adaptable use in varying weather conditions, and accessed via a glazed staircase that introduces spatial variation and an enhanced visitor experience.
Atop the Pavilion, an illuminated halo formed from a lightweight box section provides a striking visual marker. Glowing at night, this feature enhances the Pavilion’s evening presence and establishes it as a beacon within the landscape, reinforcing its identity as a landmark destination within the Manchester Airport site.