More than a transitional space, Qantas’ new generation airport lounge invites its guests to linger a little longer…
May 28th, 2013
The Qantas airport lounge in Singapore has recently undergone a major transformation. A collaborative project involving Sumu Design, PDM International and Caon Studio, the new lounge is not only able to accommodate an increased passenger count, but also incorporates a variety of local design influences in a comfortable, sophisticated environment.
The first of its kind anywhere in the world for Qantas, the new lounge – originally the Qantas / BA business lounge – now combines all the different customer tiers in one space.
It has a reception area, a bar, TV lounge areas, retreat areas, a show cooking area, a communal dining space and a buffet, and all the different zones, says Felice Carlino, Director of Sumu Design, can be accessed via paved streets.
“The reception, bar and dining areas are what you would call the main street, the heart of the lounge, [filled with] vibrancy, action, movement and interaction between customers and staff,” says Carlino.
“From there you would move down the paved side streets to quieter areas where people who want a bit of down time can relax with a quiet drink or eat.”
Local design elements include the Peranakan floor tiles in the reception area, a nod to Singapore’s heritage, says Carlino, while greenery, timber finishes and bamboo flooring “reflect the nature and warmth” of the country.
Beyond the physical elements, the design team wanted to “encapsulate the atmosphere, lifestyle and everyday life of Singapore”, says Carlino.
Elements such as the communal tables and show cooking counter were designed to capture the atmosphere of Singapore’s hawker centre.
“The noise of people and the clanking of woks, the smells of spices in the air, the live action of chefs cooking food, and the variety of different choices of food [found in a hawker centre] have been captured here,” says Carlino.
Textural layering is expressed through the variety of finishes used, from herringbone veneered oak wall panels, through to polished concrete floors and surfaces, paver tiled streets, quilted fabric and leather seats, and exposed ceilings.
Universal power and USB charging outlets, as well as full WiFi connectivity also allow customers to use their smart phones and personal iPads and tablets anywhere in the lounge.
Transcending the typical idea of an airport lounge as a mere transitional space, this new generation Qantas lounge can now be added as a memorable part of the travel experience.
PDM International
Sumu Design
sumudesign.com
Caon Design
caonstudio.com
Images © www.owenraggett.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
With the 2021 National Architecture Awards shortlist released last week, we took the time to round up the top 5 commercial projects from the selection.
The very nature of Living Spaces has seen a dramatic transformation in the last few months. The INDE.Awards 2020 Living Space shortlist offers a roadmap for flexibility and fluidity that will inform architectural narratives moving forward.
As internationally acclaimed guests fuelled the minds of WA’s design devotees, Indesign launched its newest baby – Contemporary. When The Design Circus rolled in to Perth from December 1-3, it drew crowds of design lovers, left many with a newfound appreciation of authentic, original creations, and also provided the ultimate backdrop for the launch of […]
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Found within the verdant landscape of Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Sona Reddy’s design for this authentic Andhra restaurant adeptly fuses textural rhythms with traditional materials.
An outstanding line-up of participants will contribute to a beautifully curated exhibition in Thailand that delves deep into the collective thinking of architecture in our region and helps set a progressive agenda for the future of design.