THE CREATIVE PROCESS
The issues involved in the planning of a public space such as an airport are complex. They include zoning, services and circulation, passenger flows, security, retail planning and immigration control.

Planning of the new spaces in a utilitarian structure comprising short span concrete beams and closely spaced columns was particularly difficult. Added to this, the very low ceiling height set limits to what should ideally be a high volume space.

In gutting out the remains of the old terminal, it became apparent that a unifying feature at ceiling level coupled with a plan form that integrated retail, circulation, services and daylight was what was needed. In effect, the airport lounge plan was zoned into an active zone of shops and cafes, an intermediate zone, and a cool quiet zone for passenger seating along the glass front.

Much thought was placed in the design of the ceiling, which was neither a demountable tile system nor a strip plank system. Cast fibrous plaster was used to create the complex profile of troughs into which services were sunk. The effect of this ceiling design is to give the airport interior an extremely clean and efficient look.

The indents and small waves that were also cast into the ceiling helped diffused and absorbed ambient sound.

Seating areas had to be defined in the new lounge that combined arrivals and departures, whilst retail blocks had to be carved into the plan so that a coherent commercial strategy could work with passenger flows. Passenger seating areas was deliberately pushed up front so that passengers would have a view of the apron and visually connect with the planes.

We created a central block of retail to the back of the terminal, away from the façade, only crossed by access from the escalators. A curved passageway leading to either end of the gates defined the outer limit of the retail units. The area between the retail block and the seating areas, characterized by the timber flooring was designed as a transitional area for cafes, kiosk style retail, displays and seasonal exhibitions as well as some passenger seating.

Columns were made to “disappear” by incorporating them into the planning of walls or clad with white coloured glass.