Context

The project is located on an external terrace at Bristol Airport, UK. The client is Ambius, acting for Bristol Airport, with landscape design by Clarissa Conner.

The requirement was for robust, contemporary terrace seating and furniture that would complement a modern architectural setting, deliver a corten steel appearance, and withstand high levels of public use and exposure.

The client also needed a more practical and cost-effective solution than real corten steel, with reduced weight and maintenance, and no risk of corrosion staining adjacent finishes.

Work done

Livingreen Design supplied a bespoke configuration of its Terrace Furniture Range, factory-finished in a specialist corten steel effect coating.

All units were manufactured in high-performance fibreglass (GRP) to achieve the appearance of weathered corten with reduced structural loading on the terrace slab and supporting structure.

The design team coordinated dimensions and layout so the modules aligned with the wider landscape scheme and circulation routes.

Notable challenges included replicating the visual depth of corten patination in a GRP system, controlling overall weight for rooftop installation, and ensuring durability under heavy passenger usage and airport environmental conditions.

The solution reduced installation complexity and ongoing maintenance while retaining the required visual character.

Products supplied

  • Terrace modular fibreglass seating units in corten steel effect finish

  • Terrace modular fibreglass benches in corten steel effect finish

  • Associated GRP elements from the Terrace Furniture Range to complete the layout

The supplied products provide a stable, non-corroding alternative to steel, with no rust run-off, reduced cleaning requirements, and easier future repositioning if the terrace layout changes.

Outcome

The installation delivers a high-capacity, visually coherent seating solution for Bristol Airport’s terrace.

The client benefits from reduced structural load, no corten staining of adjacent finishes, and lower lifecycle maintenance compared to real steel.

The GRP construction offers resistance to corrosion and weathering in a demanding, high-traffic public environment while maintaining the specified corten aesthetic and supporting the overall landscape design intent.