Inside the Qantas First Lounge by Akin Atelier and CAON Studio

Qantas has just become the only airline besides Singapore Airlines to have a first-class lounge in Singapore’s Changi Airport. Designed by COAN Studio and Akin Atelier, the Qantas First Lounge offers a series of tranquil spaces in which to dine, work, refresh and unwind.

Serving over a hundred airlines and over 65 million passengers annually, Changi Airport serves as one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. As flights between Australia and Singapore have increased exponentially within the last two years, it is only fitting that the lounge sits in a 1000 square metre space within Terminal 1 of Changi Airport.

The latest addition to the airport is the result of a creative partnership between COAN Studio’s director, David Coan, and Akin Atelier’s director, Kelvin Ho. As David and Kelvin worked closely together, their skillsets combined to ensure the design will exceed the brief and initial concept.

With a capacity for 245 guests, the floor plan and functions were designed around how passengers would use the space before flying. A streamlined way to dine, refresh, relax and work was easily achieved as the lounge contains five main areas: the dining room with food and beverage menus created by celebrity chef Neil Perry, a lounge that provides U-shaped plush armchairs, a cocktail bar, a VIP quiet room and shower suites. By subtly zoning these areas through perforated walls, rattan screens and banquette seating, designers were able to establish a space for all types of guests whether they are transiting or about to commence their travels.

The material palette features classic and bespoke brass furnishings, as well as artworks referencing both the Australian and Singaporean landscape. The expert use of luxury details and finishes are seen in the use of Carrara marble, European oak, plush carpets and tonal large-chip terrazzo tiles. Although some of these materials make strong references to the Qantas brand, they have been adapted to form a new vernacular within the Singaporean context.

David and Kelvin have also meticulously chosen the space’s seating apparatus. The mix of classic chairs and lounges include custom designs developed by CAON through their inhouse brand, BLOC. Other key pieces are the Carl Hansen & Sons Embrace dining and lounge chairs, Walter Knoll Lead chairs, Gebrüder Thonet Targa chairs and Crown Easy chairs by Mass Production. To match this exquisite list of furniture pieces, lighting has been specified to create a calming and soft ambient atmosphere. The lighting features include the Joe Colombo Coupe floor lamps, the Flos IC wall lights, Henry Wilson sconces and multiple other custom ceiling pendants.

Wellness was one of the critical elements that were vital for the designers. Considered an essential factor in shaping hospitality design, especially within a pre-flight ritual context, David and Kelvin included CoeLux skylights in the bathroom suites and VIP area to mimic daylight. This was deliberately done to assist travellers in adjusting their ‘body clock’s’, especially as they transition and travel through multiple time zones. Additionally, greenery is scattered throughout the lounge to induce wellbeing and relaxation. From a design point of view, it also adds vibrancy and creates a strong connection to many of Singapore’s renowned green pockets of nature.

The Qantas First Lounge marks a new era for the airline within the busy Asian hub. From warm lighting to muted gold details, the design of the space exudes a distinctive ambience of refined luxury.