We’ve come to Magna Science Adventure Centre as a team to immerse ourselves in the process of steelmaking. As we approach the colossal black frame of Magna, nestled within the imposing structure of the former Templeborough steelworks in Sheffield, the scale of what we are trying to create finally hits home. MBD is no stranger to working at scale. We’ve been doing large scale building projection for years, including projecting on iconic buildings such as Bletchley Park and Nottingham Council House, but steelworks are something else!
Outside approaching Magna Science Adventure Centre
We begin with a tour of the site, learning about the history of the Templeborough steelworks. Much like Corby, and other steel producing towns, the natural geography and abundance of iron deposits helped the town grow.
As we walk through the grand halls of the old steelworks, we notice that the rooms, once filled with bessemers and arc furnaces, are now adorned with pictures of steelworkers plying their trade. The sheer size of the rooms strikes us once again; towering four or five stories high, unchanged since the days of active steel production, bearing the remnants of extinguished fires. Small cracks allow streams of light to filter in, reminding us of how the steelworks were once illuminated by the glow of molten steel. The atmosphere we're aiming to capture is beginning to take shape in our minds.
MBD Team explore the vast halls at Magna Science and Adventure Centre
Having finished our tour, we are let loose to visit all the different parts of the Centre. There are four pavilions dedicated to the four elements (Air, Fire, Water, Earth) with experiences and experiments to do in all of them (and believe us, much fun was had in the Water Pavilion splashing around and operating JCB’s in the Earth Pavilion), but the real star of the show is The Big Melt. An immersive show using light, sound and fire showing the steelmaking process using one of the original steelworks arc furnaces. We stand around and take in the sights, smells and feelings that we will be trying to recreate. Getting the sense of place for a world we are trying to bring people into is key to ensuring people have an engaging experience. Witnessing the power, sound and scale of an arc furnace has definitely moved us forward in our understanding of what it must have been like to be in a working steelworks.
Air Pavilion at Magna Science Adventure Centre
We’ve been reading about steelworks for a number of weeks and we’ve got lots of questions, we’re conscious that we need to capture the stories of those who worked in and lived by the steelworks in Corby. We talk about how best to engage with former steelworkers and leave with 101 ideas buzzing around our heads. In just one short day we have gone from small conversations around the office about what our experience could be to overflowing with cool ideas and how we can help capture the sense of place for all who will see our final show. The spark of creation has been ignited and we are ready and raring to move ahead.