First Light Pavilion

The First Light Pavilion tells the story of the Lovell Space Telescope at Manchester University’s Jodrell Bank. Atelier One developed the concept for the shell with Hassell. The idea was to build a discreet form that would blend into the landscape. The curvature and diameter mirrors the telescope, with the central dome 50m in diameter. The buried nature of the structure made it ideal for concrete construction, with the challenge then being to reduce the volume of concrete. By combining shell action with bending action over a central supporting wall, a 20m span was possible with only 200mm concrete thickness- a remarkable span to depth ratio of 100:1. The roof was completed in a single pour to eliminate the need for any construction joints. (Image courtesy of Hufton + Crow).

Client: Manchester University, Architect: Hassell, Exhibition Designer: Casson Mann, Contractor: Kier, Completed: 2022