Printworks Manchester

Printworks Manchester is one of the city’s most recognisable leisure destinations. As part of a recent redevelopment project, a bold new identity was required to reflect its position within a rapidly evolving urban environment.

The challenge was to deliver a façade that could act to support high-quality digital content at scale, while integrating seamlessly with the existing structure. The solution needed to be lightweight, durable and visually impactful, without compromising the operational requirements of a busy city-centre venue.

We worked closely with the client and a local artist to develop a 210m² internal printed façade, engineered to wrap seamlessly around a corner and deliver a continuous visual impact.  

To maintain a clean architectural finish, the installation incorporated hidden fixings using bespoke brackets and connection details, with a flashing surround framing the artwork. Internally, fifteen speaker panels were also produced as part of a flush façade system, designed to be removable via magnetic fixings to conceal all structural elements.  

Externally, five large printed fabric screens were installed along Dantzic Street. With no access for cranes due to the constrained site and nearby tramlines, a sectional steel frame was developed, allowing the structure to be assembled and installed entirely by hand.  

The completed installation has played a key role in redefining Printworks Manchester as a contemporary leisure destination. The combination of large-scale printed façades and precisely detailed integration delivers a strong visual identity across both internal and external spaces.

By combining creative collaboration with technical precision, the project demonstrates how fabric architecture can be used not just to enhance a building but to reshape how it is experienced, seen and remembered within the city.