DP Structures

It was a new multi-million development in conjunction with Manchester University called “ first light” that incorporated an interactive area at the end on the exhibition that allows a projection feature to use the actual old steel dish components as the screen in a curved amphitheater. 

The interior was designed by London architects Casson Mann, they had intentionally utilized the old dish material as a heritage feature. 

The old dish dated from the 1950s had been cut up into sections and required a sub-frame to carry the sheets in the exhibition. 

DP Structures created the frames to carry the vintage components in 100 x 25 aluminum sub- sections without the need for the components to be welded back together. This kept the integrity of the antique patina intact. 

The main legs and arches however had to hold all of the weight and were manufactured from 200 x 200 RHS steel and slotted together. All of the steel sub-frame was galvanized as the base plates were bolted to the concrete below ground level. 

A second reason DP Structures galvanized the pivot pins and legs was that they had to be set up in situ and the heights and angles of the panels were critical for the projection units. Therefore, the legs were made adjustable and paint would have scratched as they were positioned exactly to the correct angle and height. 

The whole of the frame was then wrapped in a fiberglass sheeted case and the internal lighting was installed to glow in the dark surroundings. 

The exhibition opened to the public in June 2022.