Manchester Craft & Design Centre (MCDC) has transformed the exhibition space in the iconic former fishmarket in Manchester’s creative Northern Quarter.

The impressive plywood pavilion (pre-fabricated using computer-controlled cutting techniques at Fab Lab Manchester) is open to the public until 9 May 2015, with free entry during MCDC’s usual opening hours. Standing in the middle of the converted Victorian fish market, and surrounded by studio shops where resident makers work and sell during the day, the exhibition space presents both an opportunity and a challenge. As a compact, elevated space, flanked by a busy café bar, James Donegan’s winning entry displayed his ambition by realising a confident proposal, while considering the significant quirks and limitations of the space.

MCDC are working in collaboration with RIBA North West, the professional body for architects in the region. The judges were Charlotte Myhrum, Places Matter Design Review Manager, John Bridge, Chair of RIBA NW Communications Committee, Tom Jeffries, Manchester School of Architecture and Kaylee Jenkinson, Exhibitions & Events Officer at MCDC.

Visitors are also invited to view the proposals presented by the two runners-up of the competition, whose work deserves praise too. John Bridge (RIBA): “I was very impressed with the quality of the entries to the MCDC Design Competition. The variety and scale of the different solutions were both intriguing and inspired. This kind of competition is always exciting because it is on a human scale that will also be conceived. The top six shortlisted schemes were very close, and I think the winning project is a great asset not just to MCDC but to Manchester as a whole, as it connects to many good references to craft, design and manufacturing industry.”