In anticipation of the 2032 Olympic Games, Brisbane Airport Corporation will expand its arrivals and departures Duty Free to 5,110 sqm. Partnering with Lotte Duty Free, Leonard Design completed the winning design which creates a warm, navigable, sustainable travel experience that honours Brisbane’s culture and geography.
The challenge was to create a design that balances efficient circulation and rich exploration without overwhelming and allows trading throughout the fit-out works.
Brisbane’s abundant tree cover and man-made canopies which protect the inhabitants from the subtropical climate, inspired our competition-winning design. Two contrasting canopy types zone retail, define circulation, and create inviting human-scale spaces. The planning strategy focused on reducing retail pad depth by introducing secondary circulation, encouraging customers to explore deeper within the retail spaces. Strategically placed promotional features were designed to enhance exploration and enrich the travel experience, with experiences including a whisky bar, distillery, robotic interactions, beauty treatments, and a spa. Additional guest services, such as refreshments and click-and-collect options, were introduced to alleviate passenger congestion, creating pause points and areas to dwell.
Sustainability was a key focus, with the reuse and re-imagination of local and recycled materials celebrated throughout the design.
Departures will be delivered in three phases:
Phase 1
Construction of the extension while the existing retail remains operational.
Phase 2
Refurbishment of the existing retail, with the extension trading via a temporary connection to the gates.
Phase 3
Full operation of both areas, with the temporary connection closing as fit-out works are completed.
Client
Lote Duty Free
Canopies language creates the ceiling treatments within the contrasting environments.
