Auckland Airport design team wins supreme retail design award

Auckland Airport continued its recent winning streak with the design team responsible for the revamp of the international departures area being named the Supreme Winner at the Red Retail Design Awards, held at Auckland’s Maritime Museum on Saturday, 25th June 2011.

The Awards, which promote excellence in retail design, recognised Auckland Airport’s international airside departure area as being the standout entry in a year which saw the highest number of competitors in the history of the awards.

Winning the Red Retail Design Supreme Award is the latest in a series that has seen Auckland Airport claim a number of awards. Most recently, the Airport was presented with an Excellence Award in the Retail Property category at the annual Property Council Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards 2011.

The Excellence award, like the RED Supreme Award, was presented to Auckland Airport for its international departures area, which has been extensively remodelled to enhance the overall passenger experience and features the iconic Pou Manawa fabric tree at the heart of the area.

Adrian Littlewood, Auckland Airport’s general manager for retail & commercial, said, “Our international terminal area has seen a lot of positive design changes recently. We have been working very hard to create a unique environment that offers our passengers a first-class travel experience and still subtly reflects New Zealand design. It is very encouraging for our design partners to have now been presented with two prestigious awards which acknowledge and commend the quality of the improvements we have been making.”

“Around 18.6 million people spend time in the Auckland Airport terminals per year; that is more than the busiest malls in New Zealand. The ongoing evolution of the retail departures area ensures that travellers will leave with a positive view of their time in New Zealand and hopefully they will encourage their friends to travel to our shores and choose to return themselves,” added Littlewood.

Littlewood said of the Pou Manawa installation which has become a memorable feature for all those passing through Auckland Airport, “We are providing a symbolic centre-piece so passengers can not only browse and shop but also relax, unwind and reflect in a uniquely New Zealand way. Pou Manawa is the heart of the retail centre and stands proud where people gather.”