Manchester Airport reveals iconic chandelier reimagination – as installation begins in brand-new super-terminal

The iconic chandeliers that dominated Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1 when it opened in the 60s have been reimagined and are making their return in the coming weeks.  

The four venetian chandeliers that hung in Terminal 1 evoke memories of holidays for people all over the North – but were taken down as part of a redesign in the 90s. 

As part of the £1.3bn project to redevelop Terminal 2 the chandeliers have been brought back – but not quite as people remember them.  

The 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 – influenced by a public consultation that shaped the final design.  

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.  

Aviation Minister Keir Mather MP came to see the chandeliers being installed with Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of the airport last week. They became the first people to attach special commemorative tags to the chandeliers. 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.  

The project to reimagine one of the Terminal 1 chandeliers was announced as part of the 85^th anniversary of the airport. Previously hung in Terminal 1 prior to its refurbishment in 2003, the chandeliers were originally commissioned as part the overall design of the terminal by architect Stefan Buzas. They were created by Italian glass maker Bruno Zanetti at the Venini factory in Murano, Italy. 

 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 stunning parachutes with the original droplets will be clustered into cloud formations, an appropriate nod to the well-known weather in the North, with each parachute reflecting a unique pattern of lines that represent the flight paths of the airport. With the hexagon tags attached to each chandelier, made out of aluminium, reflecting the city's industrial history whilst the commemorative tags have been made out of brass similar to memorial coins received during significant historical milestones.