Pascall+Watson Partners with Norwich University and Stansted Airport

What if airports could feel like home?

That question guided our recent collaboration with Norwich University of the Arts, where we worked alongside Master of Architecture students to explore new possibilities for Stansted Airport.

Led by our Sustainability Associate Nimit Raval, this ten-week partnership brought together students, our team, and Stansted Airport leadership to challenge conventional thinking about infrastructure design. The collaboration began with students visiting our Blackfriars office to understand our design processes and professional practice, laying the groundwork for what would become a genuinely collaborative learning experience.

"Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and thoughtful questions made for a genuinely engaging morning. Visits like these are a reminder of the importance of connecting with the next generation of talent."

Mike Hardaker

Chief Airport Asset & Development Officer, London Stansted Airport

Following the office visit, the students gained exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Stansted Airport, exploring operational areas most passengers never see. From passenger logistics to the complex infrastructure systems that keep the airport running, this real-world insight became the foundation for their design thinking.

The partnership held particular significance for the regional construction industry. By connecting academic exploration with practical infrastructure challenges, the project demonstrated how educational collaborations can drive innovation while supporting the next generation entering the profession.

"We were delighted to welcome students from Norwich University. It's incredibly encouraging to see emerging talent entering the construction industry, contributing to vital infrastructure that drives job creation across East Anglia and beyond."

Jack Stilgoe

Head of contracts and commercial, Manchester Airport Group

Throughout the project, our team provided guidance at critical stages, including a mid-project review and final presentations in November. What impressed us most was how the students placed personal experience at the heart of their work. Some drew inspiration from RAF heritage and military history. Others created monument-like concepts or wove deeply personal narratives into their proposals.

Their approaches were refreshingly conceptual and artistically bold – completely different from conventional industry solutions. This exchange of ideas proved valuable for both students and our team, opening new ways of thinking about infrastructure design that we might not have considered through traditional practice alone.

"It was a fantastic experience engaging with the students and understanding their approaches to the project, inspirations, and resultant propositions. Their fresh insights broadened our perspective of the project in practice, and by return our comments hopefully focused the students as they finalised their proposals."