Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International
"Designs" a Maintenance Solution

The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport has been experiencing a phenomenal growth in passenger traffic over the recent years. Presently the airport is ranked as the fourth fastest growing airport in North America and the ninth fastest growing in the world with over 50,000 passengers passing through the airport daily. To respond to the challenges of ever increasing passenger traffic, the Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD) authorized a complete renovation of the airport's existing terminals.

The airport's design concept is focused on presenting to the arriving passenger, a taste of South Florida. Tropical art panels, plants, carpeting featuring a seashore theme and new wall coverings were installed. The wall coverings served a dual purpose; first, they offered a subtle contrasting color to our new carpeting and second, protected the walls from the abuse of heavy passenger traffic.

Almost immediately it was noticed that the installed wall coverings were failing to protect the walls. This was primarily due to wear and tear caused by passengers dragging behind them their luggage and sliding them along the walls. Long black streaks and tears in the protective material began to appear on the walls, presenting the airport's maintenance department with an almost impossible task of maintaining and cleaning the wall surfaces.

As an alternative solution, Unique Originals designed a waist-high wall protection system (wall panels, trim moldings and tropical medallions) that exactly replicates the natural fossilized appearance and texture of Florida coral stone. The system is not only beautiful, but also very responsive to the airport's maintenance requirements.

The airport's maintenance problems have been resolved and they have a wall system that is the centerpiece of their exciting new tropical design. A design that boldly states to all of their arriving passengers… Welcome to sunny South Florida!