The Brief:
Standard Life challenged us to design and build an exhibition stand that would stand apart from the traditional show-floor environment. The aim was to create a space that felt warm, welcoming and instantly accessible — a place where visitors from all walks of life would feel comfortable enough to engage, connect and stay.
The stand needed to deliver strong brand presence across a busy exhibition hall, while avoiding the hard, corporate feel often associated with financial services. Instead, the environment had to feel human, familiar and reassuring — truly at home with Standard Life.
The Concept
Our solution was to reimagine the exhibition stand as a home-from-home experience. Drawing inspiration from everyday residential spaces, we designed an open, inviting layout made up of three core zones: a kitchen, a living room and a garden.
By translating familiar domestic elements into a carefully considered exhibition environment, we created a space that felt approachable, comfortable and intuitive to navigate — encouraging natural conversations rather than forced interactions.
6m x 6m
Size
ACC Liverpool
Venue
Liverpool
City
The Design & Build
At the heart of the stand sat a bespoke, built-in kitchen complete with a central island. Designed and crafted in-house, this feature became the focal point of the space, offering refreshments and hosting interactive demonstrations. More than just a functional element, the kitchen acted as a social anchor — a place where meaningful conversations could happen organically.
While the stand remained predominantly open plan, a pitched roof structure above the kitchen subtly defined the area. This architectural feature created a sense of intimacy and shelter without closing the space off, maintaining clear sightlines and a welcoming flow throughout the stand.
To further reinforce the residential theme, we introduced a small garden area complete with real grass underfoot. This unexpected tactile element brought warmth and texture into the exhibition hall, creating a memorable moment that encouraged visitors to pause and engage.
The living room zone provided a calm, relaxed retreat from the busy show floor. Featuring comfortable seating, a TV, planting and carefully curated props, this space was designed to encourage longer dwell time and more informal, human conversations.
Brand Integration & Visibility
Strong visibility was established through a carefully considered combination of a suspended hanging banner and illuminated lightboxes, allowing the stand to be clearly seen from multiple vantage points across the exhibition hall. While these elevated elements drew attention from afar, the overall design remained deliberately understated at eye level.
Brand expression was thoughtfully integrated rather than overtly applied, appearing in subtle details such as the considered colour palette, curated furniture selections, and bespoke touches including personalised coffees and tailored signage.
This nuanced approach ensured the brand was present at every touchpoint without overwhelming the space, ultimately reinforcing a cohesive identity while maintaining the relaxed, welcoming and distinctly homely atmosphere that defined the stand.
The Result
The final stand successfully challenged conventional exhibition design, delivering a warm, inviting environment that felt distinctly different from its surroundings. Visitors were drawn in by the familiar, domestic aesthetic and encouraged to stay, engage and connect in a way that felt natural and unforced.
The project demonstrated how considered design, bespoke build and strategic branding can work together to create an exhibition space that not only stands out visually, but also delivers meaningful, human-centred experiences.
The result was a space that truly felt like coming home with Standard Life.
Stand Features
Our Projects
Want to learn more?
