Commercial Projects

AIR NEW ZEALAND

Caroma partners with Air New Zealand to create the country's first uniquely New Zealand Koru Club lounge.

"Air New Zealand has taken a design-led innovative approach. We have no desire to be the bank of the airline industry. Through 'Inspiring Journeys' the design is used to capture a more active portrayal of who we are and how we live as New Zealanders."
- Steve Bayliss, General Marketing Manager, Air New Zealand

Challenge

Inspiring Journeys is the core concept of the Air New Zealand rebranding effort. At the heart of this new branding is a whole new delivery to reflect the culture and people of New Zealand.

The challenge of designing the Koru Club Lounge bathroom at Christchurch International Airport was to build an inspiring space that delivers a memorable and relaxing experience within the constraints of the formal space of the airport. The Koru Club Lounges, where Air New Zealand has the opportunity to look after their high value customers such as Koru Club Members, Air New Zealand and Star Alliance business class travellers, is a chance to showcase the best of Air New Zealand design.

Traditionally airport lounges have had the feel of a corporate one-size-fits-all delivery. Instead, Air New Zealand wanted leading edge innovative design and products to contrast the stark institutional feel of conventional airport lounges.

Approach

Designer David Scott of Group Consultants was responsible for both the concept and design of the new lounge and bathroom. The design of the bathroom took a huge step away from the traditional airport bathrooms of the tightly packed cubicles and shared washbasin space.

The Christchurch Koru Club Lounge bathroom design was centred on the well-being experience and the spa culture, which is now an expected way of life for many travellers. Its focus was to give Air New Zealand's high valued customers an experience, a place to feel refreshed and revitalised and not just a place to pass the time.

The design is not retro but rather a modern interpretation that references the memories, mood and experiences of New Zealand idyllic holidays. "Kiwi" cultural experiences and elements feed into the one-off design and recognises the heritage and value of "the bach" holiday home.

To create the individual rooms where travellers can have their own private space, Air New Zealand partnered with Caroma, who are leaders and pioneers in innovative bathroom product design and performance. Caroma provided all the Christchurch Koru Club lounge plumbing related fixtures.

Caroma was the chosen supplier because Air New Zealand have partnered with the company on other projects over the years, and they believed in the professionalism of the team and sturdiness of Caroma's designs. Caroma have been providing bathroom products to New Zealand for over 50 years.

The Caroma Lucid toilet suite and Lucid and Cube basins were chosen for their contemporary, minimalist design which gives the rooms a spacious look and tie in perfectly for style and functionality. The Lucid basin high bowl combined with the low bench invites the traveller to make use of the space allowing them to place luggage or toiletries on the bench. The Caroma Liano shower gives the traveller the option of ultimate refreshment in this unique space – their own private bathroom.

Results

The new Koru Club lounge in Christchurch boasts leading edge innovative design greatly different than conventional corporate airport lounges, and is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding airport lounge designs in the world.

The project has been so successful with travellers that the aim is for David Scott to roll out the design concept to all other Air New Zealand airport terminals. Each terminal will need to be adapted to each of their individual dimensions, and the new design plans for Auckland airport are already underway.

By incorporating the Caroma range into the design, a total bathroom solution was available including toilet suites, basins and showers. With a history of design and constant innovation, Caroma continually provides the most comprehensive range of reliable, high quality, smart and stylish bathroom products in New Zealand.

The stylish and contemporary design of the lounge bathroom showcases New Zealand’s distinctive identity and culture to both national and international travellers. It is uniquely New Zealand.