Hospitality Bidair Premier Lounges – comfort guaranteed

Hospitality
Bidair Premier Lounges – comfort guaranteed
By Clare Matthes

Airport lounges are now an integral part of a business traveller’s comfort and convenience. Once places where you'd rarely want to linger, airlines have stepped up to the challenge and are designing comfortable, fully-equipped, convenient, sometimes even spectacular airport lounges to cater to their best clients. Bidair Hospitality, a subsidiary of the Bidvest Group, has done exactly that. As a provider of the support services required by commercial aviation, including aircraft cabin cleaning, fixed-base operator services, aviation security, cargo management, training and ground handling services, Bidair has taken the opportunity to reinvent its departure lounges at both OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports. These are now known as the ‘Premier Lounges’. Chris Thomas of Concept Interiors and Paul Smith of Paul Smith Design joined forces to create the perfect design for their client, who had requested a departure lounge that was warm and modern yet not too over-designed. The lounges had to be comfortable, hospitable and embracing. Above all though, the Bidair lounges had to seat the maximum number of travellers, while providing each person with the facility to power-up their cell phone and laptops virtually anywhere in the lounge seating areas. Competition among airlines within the relatively new and booming departure lounge concept is fierce both in terms of service delivery, ambience, look and feel. The lounge, therefore, had to be inviting on all levels. The design, according to Paul, is modern and has a comforting seating arrangement with many areas providing privacy. As with many designs, flexibility is a key specification and in this design, has definitely been accounted for. The fixed finishes are fairly neutral, allowing for future changes in soft furnishings without having to repeat what has been provided.

"Colours are easy on the eye, and have been juxtaposed by bright fabrics and striking abstract art, both canvas and decorated pots."

Not everyone enjoys travelling and when asked about the atmosphere the Premier Lounges should provide, Chris reiterates the importance of providing comfort to passengers in transit. “It is simple modernism that is conducive to relaxation prior to flying but also enabling the business person to continue business seamlessly.” The design choice of the Premier Lounges was inspired by the concept of a circle, a symbol of wholeness and inclusion. This was translated into ceiling and seating groups that, within the overall planning, provide defined areas that are connected yet still stand alone. The design concept had to be adjusted and suit each airport, as they are all laid out completely differently. The design developed for the first lounge at the O R Tambo Domestic terminal seemed a natural and an obvious way of unifying a long narrow floor space. This had to be adapted to suit very different spaces at both Cape Town and Durban airport’s new lounges. Practical constraints influenced the final outcome, but the circle can be dropped into almost any space, thereby creating a separation between seating groups. When asked about the space and what it was like designing an airport lounge, the designers both agreed that international airports are very complex places that have to take into account many aspects including security, practical serviceability, and the comfort and expectations of the many different traveller’s needs. Also bearing in mind that universal access is crucial to BIDAir Hospitality. It was challenging to design suitable lounges for each individual airport that were unified in theme yet unique within themselves. All three lounges kept none of the original design. The original space at O.R.Tambo International was a “landside” conference facility and changed to a departure lounge by Bidair Hospitality. It is a completely new space on the mezzanine level to the “E” gates of the terminal. Even the furniture has been purpose made for BIDAir Hospitality.

The fabrics were also specially designed to suit the design concept and provide that bright contrast to a calm and fairly neutral interior. Graphics employed photo-printing techniques from Tsinga-Tsinga paintings and decorated vases, and were deliberately abstract simply stretched canvas ‘pages’. Colours are easy on the eye, and have been juxtaposed by bright fabrics and striking abstract art, both canvas and decorated pots. “Design time scale for us to present a concept was minimal,” says Paul. “Fabrication of shopfittings, furniture, and fabrics etc happened as the work proceeded on site with the total fit-out taking less than seven weeks.” Other challenges imposed on this project were mostly related to the specific requirements of the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), including security and access for materials and artisans. Airports are by nature very complex places that are fraught with security issues and this affects how materials arrive on site, the removal of waste materials and also site personnel that require security clearance. Existing services within the ceiling voids also impacted on the way ceilings and bulkheads could be designed, as much of this infrastructure had to remain. The most striking elements are the areas of circular ceiling sections that float below main ceiling levels - groups of seats nestle within circular sections and high level tables overlook these seats. Natural Riven slate cladding was used at the reception area, contrasting with tinted glass counter tops and timber desks, giving ‘balance’ to colours and textures. Barely seen profusions of electrical plug sockets allow visitors to power-up cell phones and laptops almost anywhere they sit, a definite must for the business person of today. The unique canvass graphics give a very individual look to the lounge and contribute to the overall image. Apart from the Premier Lounges at O.R. Tambo and Cape Town Domestic Terminals, a new lounge is being planned for King Shaka International Airport in Durban, due to open in May 2010.

Source: ie Magazine