The £4.3bn Terminal 5 (T5) at Heathrow Airport represents a new age in airline travel and contemporary design. With its dramatic 40m high waveform roof, the building, which is nearly a quarter of a mile long, includes the usual check-in and security features, alongside some cutting-edge retail design and interior elements. Architects Pascall + Watson chose Formica® High Pressure Laminate (HPL) for key areas in this state-of-the-art building, which opened in March 2008.
Working closely with both BAA and BA on the fit-out design to develop excellent office and welfare facilities for the combined staff in the terminal, Pascall + Watson selected Formica HPL in Plain Colours Beaujolais, Carnaval, Folkestone and Super White for the kitchen areas and on workbenches in the staff accommodation areas. Formica HPL was chosen because of its durability and hygienic properties, as well as its appearance. Additionally, the architects specified Black Formica ColorCore®, a through colour laminate, for the main terminal check-in desks where there are exposed edges, to create a seamless look.
Through the success of these installations on the project, Pascall + Watson went on to specify Formica® products in the 580 public washroom cubicles fitted throughout T5A and T5B. American Walnut Formica® Compact, ideally suited for high impact and high moisture environments, was chosen for cubicle doors and Antique White Formica HPL was used for the wall partitions.
“Formica laminate has been specified in this fixed furniture as it is a material that is very easy to care for,” commented Pascall + Watson, “as well as being available in an extensive range of colours and designs, and so met our requirements.”
