Liverpool Airport Hangar No. 2

Liverpool Airport Hangar No. 2

An airport hangar completed in July 1941, architect unknown, later used as a terminal building and converted to commercial use between 2001 and 2003. The building features a steel structural frame with brown brick claddings and facings, incorporating the 'Lamellendach' steel segmental arch roof system patented by the Junckers company of Dessau in 1920.

One of three component structures designed as the central ensemble for the new Liverpool municipal airport by E.H. Bloomfield of the Liverpool Corporation's Land Steward and Surveyor's office, the hangar was planned as part of the original ensemble and intended to be a mirror image of Hangar No. 1. However, in 1939 its construction was taken over and financed by the Air Ministry with military use in mind, resulting in changes to both its dimensions and design, particularly regarding the roof structure—ironically, a German design.

The massive open plan interior was designed for aircraft hangar use. The building was designed as one of two hangars flanking a central curved terminal building, facing onto a wide V-shaped apron at the perimeter of a grass flying field.

The end elevations of the building are its principal architectural elements, composed of almost full-width openings originally fitted with motorised folding doors, now retained in folded position behind a 21st-century glass screen wall at the north-east end. Flanking the door openings at both ends are substantial brick piers. The upper section of the end elevations features a segmental centre section incorporating a wide glazed multi-light panel shaped like a bird with outstretched wings. The brick piers to the south-west elevation incorporate stone bas-reliefs of a standing winged man. The long side walls incorporate continuous glazing to the wall heads.

The original interior is notable for the complex patented steel-arched 'Lamellendach' roofing system based around a mesh of cross-braced components and vertical and horizontal tie rods, achieving a lightweight wide-span structure incorporating full-length glazed panels to the apex and lower side areas. Above the steel frame are timber rafters supporting sarking boards.

The building was partially adapted to serve as an international terminal in the 1970s and fell into disuse when the new Liverpool airport and terminal opened in 1986. It underwent comprehensive repair and refurbishment in 1999–2001. The exterior has been extensively repaired and later extensions removed. The interior has been adapted and fitted out for commercial use, with the most notable intervention being the introduction of wide glazed screens in the former door openings.

The hangar forms a group with the former Liverpool Airport Hangar 1 and the former Liverpool Airport Control Tower and Terminal. It is one of the most complete civil aviation ensembles of the pioneer phase of international air travel to survive in England, formed part of the most ambitious municipal airport project of the inter-war period, and had a significant military role in the Second World War. Its roof structure is now a rare surviving example of the use of the German 'Lamellendach' steel arched roofing system in England.