mstep at frieze london 2025

delivering comfort, precision and performance for one of the world’s most iconic art fairs

each october, london’s regent’s park transforms into a temporary cathedral of contemporary art. but behind the bold installations and showstopping exhibits lies something far less visible, and no less important: climate control.

for the fifth year running, mstep played a key role in delivering the environmental control behind frieze london, one of the most prestigious events in the international art calendar. our work focused on the complex task of keeping people comfortable and artworks safe inside what is, essentially, a very beautiful tent.

a balancing act of art, airflow and energy

operating building services for a temporary structure of this scale is a challenge in its own right. throw in a few hundred million pounds' worth of contemporary art, much of it highly sensitive to heat, humidity and poor ventilation, and you’ve got a finely tuned balancing act.

our job was to keep conditions stable, predictable and tightly controlled. that meant controlling the mechanical systems so that the narrow temperature bands are maintained and adequate ventilation is ensured.

invisible, by design

while many of our projects live in permanent buildings, the frieze pavilion is an entirely different beast. it’s fast to install, fast to dismantle, and packed with curators, collectors, press and guests throughout the week.

everything we do has to work hard without being noticed. airflow must be subtle. temperatures must be reliable. systems must operate quietly and respond quickly to shifting internal loads. and of course, all of it must be delivered in collaboration with multiple contractors, specialists, and international stakeholders.

this kind of project is where mstep’s quiet competence really shines.

part of a bigger cultural picture

this year’s fair attracted over 90,000 visitors and brought together galleries and artists from more than 108 countries. behind the scenes, frieze is part of a growing trend among global arts organisations, balancing excellence in programming and curation with a commitment to environmental responsibility.

our input at frieze is part of mstep’s broader work across the arts, culture and civic sectors. we support performance spaces, museums, galleries and public buildings across the uk and beyond, bringing precision engineering, sustainability thinking and collaborative delivery to projects that shape public life.

Here are key visitor & gallery statistics for Frieze London 2025 (including its sister fair Frieze Masters 2025 in London:

• 90,000 visitors from 108 countries

• over 280 galleries/exhibitors across the two fairs

• for the contemporary-focused main fair (Frieze London) alone, there were nearly 170 galleries

• Major sales activity reported by galleries, signalling strong market engagement

want to know more?

if you're working in the cultural sector and need support balancing performance, preservation and sustainability, we're here to help. from temporary pavilions to permanent spaces, we design low-energy systems that protect your space, your people and your collections.

get in touch