Buro Happold provided building services and fire engineering consultancy for this fascinating project to convert the giant former Templeborough Steelworks into the UK’s first science adventure centre. Designed to make science fun and appealing, Magna houses four huge pavilions themed around the four elements – earth, air, fire and water – which contain exhibits telling the dramatic and colourful story of steel.

To create a more thrilling experience, each individual pavilion provides an environment appropriate to its element. Situated below ground, the earth pavilion evokes the reality of mines and quarries, while in the fire pavilion ignited kerosene is whipped up into a swirling column of flame. Visitors enter the water pavilion over a glass floor with water below, while the air pavilion, ringed by inflated ETFE foil bags, seems to float above the ground like an airship.

The shell of the building and much of the original machinery has been retained to give visitors a picture of how the steel works operated. Since heating the vast shed was not an option – apart from in the pavilions, which are temperature controlled – Magna is a ‘coats on’ experience. Natural ventilation is used wherever possible and comfort is maintained by using air inlet panels and high level mechanical extracts only.

Date: Completed in 2001