We often say that millions of people eat, shop, work and play in spaces created by SmartDesign Group. If you’ve travelled, you’re likely to be one of those people. That’s because a lot of our design experience is focused on commercial spaces in airports. These spaces include restaurants, food courts, retail stores, and of course, duty-free stores.
In this new feature, I’ll be talking to SmartDesign Group designers about some of the spaces they’ve helped to create. Senior Project Designer, Stephanie Labrecque recently spoke to me about the development of the new AerRianta Duty Free store at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, Canada.
Last year, SmartDesign Group, working with SSP International, developed airport design concepts for five new food & beverage outlets at Sydney International Airport.Concepts include Seafood Bar by Caviar House & Prunier, Bambini Wine Room, Danks Street Depot, Trattoria Prego and Itacho Sushi. All locations have recently opened to great reviews and are a welcome addition to the Sydney Airport passenger experience. Read more.
Nick Baker, President and CEO at SmartDesign Group, has confirmed that he will be speaking at Passenger Terminal Expo 2010 in Brussels later this month. A specialist in airport design, masterplanning and retail development, Baker works with airports around the world helping them to build brand equity and maximize non-aeronautical revenues.
According to Nick Baker, “Rapid advances in communications and technology are making it easier for airports to enhance the overall passenger experience and create more value. I am delighted to be able to share my thoughts on how airports can capitalize on such opportunities.”
In addition to his presentation, Nick will also participate in a panel discussion on the functionality of airport design.
Passenger Terminal Expo is the most highly regarded airport terminal conference in the world with delegates ranging from managers and their teams to CEOs. The 3-day event addresses key issues affecting development and explores innovative business solutions through ideas exchange. Learn more .
Two of SmartDesign Group’s spaces have landed in a recent issue of Airport Revenue News (ARN) Magazine. Le Grand Comptoir and the Real Food Company, bold new dining concepts by SSP America, are part of the new airport design at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Terminal C. These already successful European brands were adapted for the North American market and are said to be shaking up the airport F&B landscape. Read the full article.
(Vancouver, BC and New York, NY) August 13, 2009 – SmartDesign Group was appointed by Select Service Partners (SSP) America to apply its airport design experience to the development of a flaship food and beverage offering at JFK International Airport’s Terminal 4. (more…)
There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to airport design. So instead of boring you with the details, we put together this snappy video for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
SmartDesign Group has confirmed its participation at this year’s Doha Aviation Summit taking place on October 25-27, 2009 in Doha, Qatar. Nick Baker, President of SmartDesign Group, is scheduled to speak at a networking luncheon on October 27 where he will share his experience in airport design and discuss how technology can have a positive impact on non-aeronautical revenues. (more…)
(Vancouver, BC) SmartDesign Group client, Incheon International Airport in Seoul Korea recently picked up top honours at the 2009 Skytrax World’s Best Airport awards. The award is based on passenger survey results from travellers in airports around the world and is the most sought-after in the industry. The awards reflect a number of categories related to quality including airport design, retail offerings, amenities, passenger processing and customer service. (more…)
After working on so many airport design projects, it’s great to see airports around the world embracing the development of what we refer to in the industry as sense of place. This example of award-winning environmental graphics at Dublin Airport by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is a great example of how a well-thought out program can enhance the airport design and ultimately, the overall passenger experience. Visit http://www.segd.org/design-awards/5126/5128.html to read more.
Since launching our new website last year, we’ve received a lot of really positive feedback. The truth is we had a number of great ideas throughout the development process. Some made the cut. Some didn’t. For those of you who know Nick Baker and Jon Sunderland and the rest of the team, we thought you might enjoy a peek at what didn’t quite make the cut.
