CASE STUDY: ZAYED INTERNATIONAL facilities where passengers can rest and rejuvenate. “The new terminal consists of a significant 35,000m 2 allocated to retail space, with 163 outlets for passengers to shop and eat at,” Sorlini explains. “This will be increased to 175 outlets by the end of 2024 and to 187 by 2025. It will also feature two health and beauty spas, a 138-room hotel and an open-air lounge. Meanwhile, new flagship lounges – spread across three floors – offer dining options, a rooftop cocktail bar, relaxation spaces, a games room and a family room.” London-based retail architecture and design practice The Design Solution (TDS) was tasked with commercial planning for the new Terminal A, working alongside Aer Rianta International (ARI) and local partners, operating as Travel Retail Sales and Services (TRSS). Robbie Gill, managing director of TDS, says, “The vast scale of the terminal was challenging, particularly with the central space able to fit a football pitch between the columns. The solution was to create ‘lily pads’ of commercial pods to entice passengers to explore across this vast space. “Alongside the pods, the retail space includes the main duty-free store, four soaring icon stores and four category-focused arcades,” he continues. “The retail adventure is absolutely integral to the travelers’ experience of the whole terminal, setting a remarkable new benchmark for the industry.” TDS SSP The new terminal features 163 retail and F&B concessions and two health and beauty spas ABOVE & LEFT Sustainable F&B Within the F&B offering, SSP Emirates Abu Dhabi opened a new Food Park at Terminal A, featuring an array of internationally renowned brands and local concepts, selected to appeal to the unique passenger profile of the airport. “The Food Park offers everything from grab-and-go to sit-down dining, and because we were able to design it from scratch, it offers the optimum passenger flow,” says Mark Angela, chief business development and strategy officer at SSP. Just as within the wider terminal space, sustainability has been a key priority in the development of the SSP Food Park. “For example, 90% of the wood used in the build of the SSP units came from recycled or reclaimed sources, and 85% of all floor and wall tiling used is locally sourced with a minimum of 20% recycled content,” explains Angela. “In addition, the units have been fitted with water-based air-conditioning and a system to extract steam from hoods and recycle it into clean air, alongside other energy-efficient equipment.” 85% of all floor and wall tiling used is locally sourced Mark Angela, SSP SSP is also trialling carbon labeling at its Ritazza and Camden Food Co. brands in Terminal A. Using the Klimato carbon labeling platform, the firm assessed the climate impact of its menu items, creating low-carbon specials and adding carbon labels and QR codes to menus to help educate customers about climate-smart choices. “A customer survey showed that 60% believed that carbon labeling helped them understand the environmental impact of the dishes,” Angela explains. Sense of place The Swarovski store: one of numerous luxury brands within the terminal BELOW TDS Within the retail and F&B spaces, local outlets help create a sense of place for passengers passing through Terminal A. Alongside this, the overall terminal has been designed to reflect the local culture and environment. “We had two guiding principles in the design: to create a building that serves the emirate and represents the city of Abu Dhabi, and to provide unrivaled customer experience and comfort through creating the most efficient building form. The undulating massing was inspired by the sand dunes in the immediate context of the terminal, as well as by the Emirati loose-fit dress costume that is designed to conceal and protect,” explains KPF’s Chehabeddine. “The interior design, meanwhile, was adorned by the rich geometric patterns of Islamic culture as well as the different aspects that make up the environment of Abu Dhabi – sea, desert, city and oasis,” he adds. Sorlini also notes that the airport’s rebranding as Zayed International Airport – in honor of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – encapsulates the spirit of the facility beyond the steel and glass of its physical structure. “We were inspired by the design of this iconic terminal, with each pier representing and pointing to either the city, desert, oasis or sea. “Using this for creative inspiration, we’ve linked each of those piers to a key landmark such as the historic walls of Qasr Al Hosn [the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi], the legacy of Emirati navigators embodied by the dhow boat, and the enduring properties of date palm trees and the desert sun. These unique features create a sense of place for the passenger, who can benefit from an unforgettable experience.” www.PassengerTerminalToday.com 44 Passenger Terminal World APRIL 2024