Manchester Airport chandeliers reimagined by local artist

The iconic chandeliers that dominated Terminal 1 when Manchester Airport opened in the 60s have been reimagined by a local artist, and are set to be reinstalled at Terminal 2 as part of its £1.3 billion transformation.

The three venetian chandeliers were taken down as part of a redesign of the terminal, which is now closed, in the 1990s.

As part of the £1.3 billion project to redevelop Terminal 2, Manchester Airport has worked with Denton-based artist Liam Hopkins of Lazerian and Manchester School of Architecture students to use the old chandeliers to create something new.

The 517-piece design includes colourful parachutes with the stunning glass droplets, from the original chandeliers, welcoming passengers as they move from the security hall to the departure lounge. 

The installation, named Atmospheric Reflections of the North, references the North’s industrial heritage and weather with a nod to the airport’s own history as a training facility for the Parachute Regiment in 1940 during World War 2.  A public consultation helped to shape the final design.

When the installation is complete each of the 517 droplets will be adorned with a small tag recognising individual colleagues, stakeholders and other partners involved in the decade long transformation of Terminal 2. 

 Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said:  

“Here at Manchester Airport we’ve been proud to connect the North to the world for over 85 years and we know how well-loved our iconic chandeliers were.  

“Almost everyone who travelled through the airport until they were taken down in 2003 will remember them and associates them with special holiday memories. That’s why we were determined to bring them back as part of the project to transform Terminal 2. 

“But given that our £1.3bn super-terminal is so modern and state-of-the-art, it seemed appropriate that we reimagine them and give them a modern feel that still reflects our proud history. With the help of so many people, I really think we’ve achieved that. 

“Seeing this go from concept to creation has been amazing and I can’t wait to see the final pieces come together in May.” 

Liam Hopkins, of Lazerian, said:  

“Atmospheric Reflections of the North is about reimagining something deeply familiar in a way that feels relevant today. The original chandeliers hold a strong sense of memory, and for me it was important to preserve that connection while allowing the piece to evolve into something new. Working in collaboration with architecture students, we engaged the public through polls and questionnaires to capture what the North means to them, its landscapes, its weather, its character and its identity. Alongside this, I was also inspired by the airport’s history as a training base for the Parachute Regiment, bringing in ideas of suspension, movement and descent. 

“Those combined influences shaped a shifting cloudscape of light that changes as people move through the space, reflecting the rhythm of rain alongside moments of brightness breaking through. There’s also a sense of walking into a sunset—lifting people’s emotions as they pass through the terminal and begin their journeys, whether they’re leaving or returning. By reworking the original glass droplets, the piece carries that history forward into something more dynamic and contemporary, connecting past and present while creating an uplifting experience for those heading off on holiday.”  

Emily Crompton, Senior Lecturer at Manchester School of Architecture, said: 

 “This project illustrates the whole idea behind MSA Live. It’s great to see the students working on something that has a real-world impact. We’ve got a lot of international students, so I know that some of them will be walking alongside it. It’s a wonderful achievement for the students that so many people will see their work.” 

The chandeliers were originally commissioned as part the overall design of Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport by architect Stefan Buzas. They were created by Italian glass maker Bruno Zanetti at the Venini factory in Murano, Italy.