Project Description
Heraklion Airport provided a particularly inviting challenge to help revolutionise the passenger experience at Greece’s second-busiest airport.
The new design radically transformed the retail areas into a characterful expression of the location. Crete has a truly extraordinary heritage blending history, architecture, mythology, crafts and art.
Our vision was to subtly integrate elements from those themes into the design of the retail space. As such, legendary sites such as Knossos Palace, The Palace Labyrinth and the beauty of Minoan art were key inspirations.
The shopper is instantly drawn into the Cretan story by the stunning cave-like entrance to the main store, echoing the strata-lines that reflect the island’s mountains and the famous Matala Caves. This natural beauty is combined with the vibrant modern style of the Dufry logo and signage, enticing shoppers to step in and explore the store.
Our store concept is inspired by the contrasting landscapes surrounding Heraklion, each part play a part in the journey through the store.
In addition to the core Island of contrasts concept, a series of contemporary Minoan inspired graphic motifs have been created and these have been used as a subtle Minoan thread sense of place concept throughout the store.
Our local food hero category amplifies the Minoan thread with a concept inspired by Knossos the centre of Minoan civilisation and home to the mythical palace of King Minos and the famous Labyrinth of the Minotaur.
