Reimagining the Iconic Manchester Airport Chandeliers: A New Chapter by Lazerian

At the heart of Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 transformation, Lazerian, the renowned design studio, has been tasked with reimagining the airport’s iconic chandeliers. This project goes beyond aesthetics—it weaves together the city’s rich history, its role as a global travel hub, and the spirit of Northern England. Through three innovative design concepts, Lazerian invites travellers to engage with the North’s industrial heritage and Manchester’s vibrant culture. We invite you to vote for your favourite concept, which will influence the final design seen in Terminal 2 here https://bit.ly/3XHYIxG

Here’s a deep dive into the three unique concepts:

1. Atmospheric Reflections of the North

The first concept, Atmospheric Reflections of the North, pays homage to Northern England’s industrial roots and the region's often moody weather. The installation transforms the airport into a realm of floating clouds and textile forms, linking Manchester’s historical prominence in textile manufacturing with its modern identity as a global hub for air travel.

The Design: Cloud-like shapes, made from woven textiles, hover effortlessly in the space, reflecting Manchester’s textile history. Suspended from these shapes are delicate crystal droplets, which evoke the region’s frequent rainfall. These forms are inspired by James Sadler, a pioneer in aviation, and the parachute training that took place at the airport during WWII. The parachutes serve as both a visual and symbolic tribute to this history, connecting the local past with the present.

Historical & Cultural Links:

• Textile Industry: The woven forms are a nod to the North's historic textile sector.
• Aviation Heritage: James Sadler’s contributions to ballooning and the airport's role in military parachute training add a local, historical dimension.
• Rainy Atmosphere: The crystal droplets symbolise Manchester’s characteristic weather, grounding the installation in the local climate.

By merging these elements, Atmospheric Reflections of the North invites travellers to reflect on both Manchester’s industrial past and its position as a global gateway.

2. The Northern Nexus

The Northern Nexus takes a different approach, celebrating Manchester Airport’s role as the primary hub that connects Northern England to the world. This concept draws on the region's extensive transportation networks and showcases the airport's critical role in linking the North to global destinations.

The Design: This installation features three layered, branch-like structures representing the region’s main transportation routes: A-roads, motorways, and rail lines. These intricate networks are scaled up and suspended in the airport space, creating a visually striking experience.

• A-Roads: The first layer symbolises local routes that connect towns and cities to the airport.
• Motorways: The second layer represents long-distance highways that enable rapid travel across the North.
• Rail Lines: The final layer emphasises the role of public transport in connecting people to Manchester Airport.

Inspired by the Avro planes built in Manchester, the installation uses a lightweight but strong framework with tension wires, representing the balance of strength and agility found in aviation design. Hanging from these branch-like structures are crystal droplets, symbolising the flow of travelers and goods through the airport.

Symbolism: Each crystal droplet signifies the airport’s far-reaching connections, while the overlapping networks highlight the complex web of routes that link the North to global destinations. This installation is both a celebration of Manchester’s aviation heritage and a nod to its future as a hub of global exchange.

3. The Buzz of Connectivity

The Buzz of Connectivity offers a fresh and organic take, inspired by the iconic symbol of Manchester—the bee. This concept merges nature and technology in a captivating installation that embodies the bustling activity of Manchester Airport and its connections to the world.

The Design: The framework for this installation is based on actual flight paths originating from Manchester Airport. These intricate routes are scaled up into a 3D structure, which is then handed over to a colony of bees. The bees build honeycomb around the framework, creating an organic and dynamic layer that represents the industriousness of both nature and human design.

Collaborative Creation: This concept is a unique collaboration between bees and humans, as the bees naturally construct honeycomb patterns around the airport’s flight path framework. The result is a structure that symbolises both the connectivity of the airport and the collaborative nature of Manchester’s community.

Crystal droplets, placed where the bees create honeycomb, evoke the nostalgic image of honey dripping from the structure, symbolising sweetness and productivity. This element also links back to the original chandeliers from Terminal 1, bringing a sense of continuity between past and present.

Symbolism: The installation celebrates the bee as a symbol of hard work, collaboration, and community—all values that reflect Manchester’s spirit. The honeycomb structures represent global connections, while the crystal droplets emphasise the fruitful outcomes of cooperation and connectivity.

A New Era of Design and Connection

Each of Lazerian’s design concepts for the Manchester Airport chandeliers brings together history, innovation, and art to create a truly immersive experience. Whether through textile forms, transportation networks, or a collaboration with bees, these installations connect travelers with the heritage and future of Northern England. As the airport evolves, these designs will stand as a testament to the region’s rich past and its role in the global present.

Lazerian’s reimagining of the chandeliers promises to turn Manchester Airport into more than just a travel hub—it will become a space of reflection, connectivity, and artistic exploration.