Project and process: New concept: Swiss Lounges Zurich
Zurich Airport is Switzerland's largest airport and the home base for Swiss International Air Lines, which serves 102 destinations in 46 countries worldwide. Swiss sees itself as the national airline of Switzerland and stands for values such as provenance, quality and individualised service. The airline launched an invited ideas competition and tasked architects to come up with designs for new separate lounges for their Business, Senator and First Classes located on the third floor of Zurich airport's (A) Midfield Terminal (Dock E). The aim was to look for solutions that respond-ed to current demands and the rising expectations of the customers. Up until this point Swiss didn't have any of its own lounges in this important location. Greutmann Bolzern Design Studio designed the spaces to combine typical corporate identity elements with an architecture and design concept that conveys relaxed cosiness. Materials played a central role and had to be natural and exude a certain warmth. Timber dominates in different tones. Wood, real wood veneers and other composite woods boards were combined to create a huge range of options in terms of size and form-finding. This opened up the possibility to use a continuous material to fulfil several different functions and tasks. A multi-space concept was developed over an area of 3,300 sqm that can easily be replicated in other locations. Within the different classes open flowing spaces were created that can be separated from one another. The full-height wraparound glazing determines the organisation of the interiors while fixtures and furniture take on a structuring role and indicate the different functions of the respective areas.
