Project Description
A theatrical articulation of the best of India
Expressing the energy and culture of India, this dramatic new terminal at the country’s second-largest airport has been designed to handle up to 40 million passengers, with over 20,000 m2 of commercial space located across two floors.
Sharing a common check-in hall, passengers then split between domestic and international departures. Domestic passengers drop down a level before proceeding through the commercial area to their gates. International passengers continue at the same level, experiencing a walk-through flagship duty free store on their way to the departure lounge and piers.
On completing the planning for the commercial space throughout the terminal, we were appointed to design the environment for both departure lounges along with South West Pier. In response to a client passionate to create a terminal with a deep ‘Sense of Place’, we evolved a rich design vocabulary to express the unique character of each departure lounge. This vocabulary is deeply influenced by the craft and design heritage of this extraordinary subcontinent.
UNMISTAKABLY MUMBAI
In the main concourse areas of international departures, the terminal’s unique sense of place is powered by the creation of three complementary but different zones. The first is dedicated to luxury products, the second to mid-market products and travel necessities and the third is the food court. While each zone expresses its own distinct character, all three are smoothly linked by the shared colour palette, ceiling principles and flooring.
DISTINCT PERIMETERS
Passenger orientation is heightened through the use of three distinct perimeter friezes echoing the patterns of the traditional Rangoli craft, further embedding the authentic local expression of the terminal’s sense of place.
“The sense of place is further enhanced by the ‘jewel box’ approach in our design, particularly in the inspiration taken from the traditional welcome motifs of the Indian folk art of Rangoli. These were used as the stimulus for the planning at a macro scale and the detailing of the ceiling scape at a micro scale. The holistic nature of our design also weaves lighting, landscape and art elements into this fabric.”
Graeme Johns, Director of Planning, The Design Solution
The zone at the entrance of the departure lounge, just after the duty fee shop, is dedicated to the luxury category. The designs for the terminal are complemented by our work for another client, Dufry, for whom we designed various shops in this zone.
