Adelaide’s new airport is the fourth largest in Australia, and has been fitted out with contemporary design. The interior designer, Jenny Saul, of Woods Bagot design and consulting firm, used wood veneers, both in the main concourse, and in private areas such as the Qantas Club and Chairman’s Lounge and the result is extremely effective.
Saul said the use of veneers provided all the warmth of a natural material and created a welcoming feeling in the lounges. “In specifying wood veneers, we were conscious that this is an economical way to use an important natural resource — economical in the sense that veneers achieve maximum impact from a minimum of material. The face veneer on a veneered panel is typically only 0.6 mm thick, but has all the warmth, grain and character of solid wood,” Saul adds.
Tasmanian blackwood was used in the concourse, and the Qantas Club features American white oak veneer, routed horizontally to create an interestingly textured three-dimensional effect. The blond colour of the oak is light and bright, giving a clean, modern look to the Club’s foyer and interior.
By contrast, the Chairman’s Lounge features a dark rosewood veneer to create an atmosphere of understated luxury.
The new Adelaide Airport has subsequently been rated in the top 10 airports worldwide for ambience and “a feeling of being safe and secure,” at the Airports Council International annual awards for service quality in Dubai in March.
