Because of growing globalisation and generic development of airports, Schiphol International Airport more and more is manifesting itself as a Dutch Airport. At the same time Schiphol wants to contribute to the cultural environment by exposing historic and contemporary art. In the design of the VIP-centre, Concrete decided to combine these two elements, as they came forth as most important in the briefing of the new VIP-centre on the airport. Objects used in the design are exclusively designed by contemporary Dutch artists; the products designers. At the same time, when you visit the VIP-centre you should get to know the typical Dutch mentality: our sense of humour and satire, our efficiency and even our economical practicality. Every object is Dutch design and tells its own story.
Visitors of the VIP-centre are mostly obliged to their stay because of their class. That's exactly why their stay has to be as pleasant as possible, like an oasis of peace, away from the hectic atmosphere of the airport. The terminal building exists of corridors and traffic areas. In contrast to this, Concrete decided to create an area without any corridors. Each square meter needs to provide a high-quality experience, where as corridors provide the complete opposite. From operational point of view the lounge needs to provide the possibility to enter and leave the area from landside as well as airside. These entrances were the biggest design-issue, because they were situated in complete opposite corners of the existing structural shell. Crossing from one entrance to the other, visitors walk through three connecting lounges. These three lounges form the aorta of the VIP-center, surrounded by the other smaller lounges. In addition to the three central lounges the total VIP-center exists of four other large lounges and five smaller rooms. The lounges are surrounded by glass walls with rounded corners. LED-lighting in between the glass walls provide a light atmosphere to compensate the lack of daylight. Except from the glass walls and shape of the walls, each lounge has been given its own identity, partly to react on the different functional demands, partly to give the frequent visitor the opportunity to experience different atmospheres.
by Concrete Architectural Associates
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