51st&Green – A Fusion of Ireland and America

It’s been over a year in the making, but our role in the creation of the new executive lounge at Dublin Airport is complete. Not only is this lounge the only US Preclearance lounge in Europe, it is the first lounge on “US soil,” outside of America.  Working across concept, creative direction, naming, brand identity and passenger experience, this week marks the launch of the lounge, where all of these elements can be experienced together for the first time.

From an initial brief to delivery, the challenge was to convey and position a new lounge experience that captured the crossing of time zones and countries. With a clear understanding of the audience, we considered spaces for play, work, relaxation and to explore the fusion of Irish and American produce. A key focal point was the idea of a barista, to reinforce the quality of experience and to create a talking point for the lounge. MCA Architects led the delivery of the built environment, bringing to life the concept through references to time and the brand colour palette.

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Menu covers and delph.

The name 51st&Green was inspired by the idea of an intersection; the fusion of the best of Ireland with the best of America. The 51st represents the creation of a new time zone – the 51st state of America and the Green is a proud reference towards Ireland and the new Dublin Airport brand. In addition, the construction of the name reflects a traditional American address, and this street sign concept is brought through in the style of the brand mark. This theme is continued across all key touch points to build the 51st&Green story.

This new lounge represents a place where Ireland and America connect; a place where people, time and cultures blend to create a truly unique lounge experience, and we are delighted to have played a leading role in bringing the vision to life.

#51standGreen

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Digital heritage and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, one of Ireland’s leading visitor experiences welcomes almost half a million tourists and schoolchildren annually. We have been working with Saint Patrick’s on it’s identity and communications and were delighted to have played a role in its first real move into technology.

This week the Cathedral launched it’s new ‘Discovery Space’ in the south transept which is designed to bring a more interactive and immersive experience to the 800 year old building and its history. We worked closely with the internal team to translate core elements from the new identity system across a large touchscreen table and other digital devices which offer photography, audio and information on the cathedral’s layout, history and heritage.

We developed communications for the wonderful new Discovery Boxes that launched on the day which are specifically designed to engage young visitors. The Discovery Boxes are built using recycled wood from the cathedral’s disused pews and contain games encouraging children to Build A Cathedral and Try Brass Rubbings.

Few can claim to work with an 800 year old cathedral and we’re looking forward to sharing the new brand identity and communications in coming weeks.

Photography credit: The Irish Times