As Queensland’s capital city and a popular holiday destination for both interstate and international travellers, Brisbane enjoys frequent visitors and with the increase through the Brisbane Domestic Airport, an upgrade of the Southern Concourse terminal was needed. Source: Timberbiz
“The brief was to create a uniquely Queensland space that would feel comfortable and hospitable for travellers to use as a dwell space,” Angela Layton, Practice Director and Interior Designer from ARKHFIELD said.
The original building was completed in 1988 in time for the World Expo held in Brisbane and it received multiple architecture awards.
“we wanted people to connect to Brisbane through the quality of light that is here – filtering and playing with the patterns and shadows to experience the time of day or season,” she said.
Another important design consideration was to honour the materials and craftsmanship of South East Queensland by using local materials and furniture makers to create a domestically scaled space.
“Celebrating Queensland is a very important way to showcase a space that is a gateway to our city,” Ms Layton said.
“Using local timbers from Big River Group references our own vernacular in a way that few other materials are able to. We used Big River timbers because they are sustainable, local, durable, and have a warm aesthetic – lending an almost domestic feeling to what is often a very commercial and transient space.”
Installed by Formosa Constructions, the use of Big River’s Spotted Gum engineered timber is the centrepiece to the design, echoes the warmth and relaxed attitude of Queensland. On a functional and environmental level, the timber is sustainable, stable and durable making it perfect for the air-conditioned space.
“Being in a heavily air-conditioned space, there was the risk of warping and twisting in the joinery if we went down the solid timber route,” Ms Layton said. “The certainty the Big River engineered timber boards provided with the tight timeframes was crucial. Durability was another, this timber is being used in a super high traffic, high turn around environment.”
Along with the eye-catching Big River timber products, the custom-made furniture and mezzanine windows also help to enliven the space, coming together to showcase the sunny, vibrant and welcoming nature of Queensland and its friendly people.
