Project Description
Aalborg vividly demonstrates the potential for smaller, but still highly ambitious airports, to offer a stunning retail experience that helps drive their non-aeronautical revenue.
Aalborg’s 550m2 walk-through duty free store is the vibrant centrepiece of the airport development program, addressing the anticipated increase in traffic from 700,000 to 1.5 million passengers per annum.
For The Design Solution, pioneers in walkthrough store design, the challenge to create an effective version of this concept on a smaller scale was appealing. The re-configuration of the airport gave us a perfect opportunity for a walkthrough format for all international passengers, albeit in terms of total footprint this would be the most compact solution we had ever designed.
Smaller but highly effective, the store is meticulously planned to incorporate a comprehensive core offer as well as Sunglasses, Jewellery, Accessories and Watches to complement the Perfume and Cosmetics department.
“We wanted this store to feel utterly integrated into the terminal language, and so took materials such as the granite flooring into the pathway, and the pine which makes up the building’s roof beams forms the ‘glue’ which frames the wallbays.”
Nick Taylor, Design Director, The Design Solution
Following our planning of the commercial space for the terminal our role was expanded to include the design of the departure lounge.
“The final result is amazing. The store is perfectly integrated in our airport and in the passenger flow. Already, we have seen a very satisfying turnover/return on investment.”
Soren Svendsen, CEO, Aalborg Airport
“The space has been designed with the flexibility to take personalised installations from the brands in the future, and has generic concept features such as the Wine and Champagne area at the front of the store, Single Malts, White Spirits and the Speciality zone.”
Nick Taylor, Director of Design, The Design Solution
The design fully exploits the available volume of natural light to illuminate a wonderfully open and accessible feel, enhanced by a simple palette of materials having an unmistakable synergy with the airport architecture.
