Heathrow Terminal 5

Terminal 5 will be the third largest airport on its own, after Frankfurt and the rest of Heathrow. It is estimated that 35 million passengers will pass through the terminal each year. Housing 144 shops and restaurants, clear distinctive wayfinding is key in helping travellers move around the building.

Wood&Wood were commissioned to manufacture and install five sets of three freestanding directories: one large map directory and two listing directories. The design objective was to create light filled units with a vibrant 3D effect and given the dynamic airport environment they need to be updated easily.

We worked with the project architects to develop a product that would deliver both these objectives.  The units are fabricated using core acrylic panels with 25mm thick acrylic blocks cut out. One of the challenges was holding the blocks in place. Our production team devised a system using magnets, which were bonded into the acrylic panel and onto the acrylic blocks; the panels are then sandwiched between sheets of toughened glass. The outer casing is fabricated using aluminium with a stainless steel trim.

The directories are illuminated with fluorescent tubes, fluorescent light normally shines straight through but by breaking the acrylic surface the light is diffused through the units, giving a light filled appearance. The block design mean the directories will be easy to keep up to date to suit the short service intervals available.

The directories are a stunning addition to this 21st century building.