Case Study - John Lennon Airport

Business Clients Work

Imagine… a whole new look for John Lennon Airport Liverpool’s famous John Lennon Airport is the 12th busiest in the UK, with more than five million passengers passing through annually. Now those arriving or departing from the airport will notice a new look after an extensive redecoration project from Smith Bros.design interior design and Dulux Trade paints. Despite the Airport’s link to the iconic and colourful Beatle, plus the city’s footballing associations of vibrant red and blue, the airport - the first thing that greets many visitors to the city - was a uniform cream throughout. Some visitors called it a ‘desert’, lacking in any noticeable warmth or personality.

To add a splash of character more in keeping with the city and its most famous son, the designers chose the Dulux Trade Colour Futures 2016 ‘Words and Pictures’ palette of pastel shades.

The soft shades of lilac, pink, blue, green and grey are an uplifting mix that convey warmth while making the arrivals hall and departure lounge areas feel more spacious.

Having a colour scheme that is airy allows light to bounce around freely and acts as a mood booster is a complete game-changer for the airport, which is located six miles from the city centre.

Once the colour palette was chosen, Smith Bros.design developed a colour scheme where all colours change at the joint of a wall or a change of direction.

Skirtings, dado rails and doors are picked out in soft grey and the colour throughout is completed to a beautiful and functional standard.

The high footfall of the airport means that a durable paint had to be specified. Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is scuff resistant, wipeable and hard wearing, keeping public areas looking perfect for years after application.

It also offers anti-fade technology and superior stain resistance through its unique Stain Repellent Technology, which can be wiped clean repeatedly without polishing up, helping maintain excellence for up to five years.

This is especially important on a project where colour has played such a leading role.

The Dulux Trade Technical support manager worked with Smith Bros.design to keep the project on track, resolve issues and ensure colour accuracy throughout the airport makeover.

Helen Hampson-Smith, from Smith Bros.design, says: “We were thrilled to be involved in such a high-profile local project with Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Using the Dulux colour palette gave us confidence that the scheme would be a success.”