VIP Lounge design project at the Red Sea International Airport

First Class Lounge in Saudi Arabia from Studia 54

Long flights, transfers, jet lag and a hot climate — even for experienced travelers, the road becomes a challenge. When we started working on the interior of the VIP Lounge of the new Red Sea International Airport, we set ourselves the task of changing this feeling by creating a space in which the journey begins with comfort.

When we received a request to develop an interior concept for the VIP Lounge of an international airport in Saudi Arabia, we immediately realized that this project would be special. Spaces of this scale require a deep understanding of human behavior scenarios. No less important are the first impression, the routes, the sense of privacy, the quality of the stay and the atmosphere that greets the guests even before boarding the flight.

Inspired by local flora and color

In our projects, we increasingly turn to natural symbolism, finding inspiration in the features of the landscape, climate and cultural context.

The source of inspiration for this project was the Arabian Desert: its smooth lines, natural palette and the feeling of serenity that arises among the endless sandy expanses. It was these images that formed the basis of the interior concept.

High-traffic spaces require particularly precise planning and perception. Here, each element affects the guest's impression: the logic of routes, the comfort of waiting, visual accents and the atmosphere, which is read even before acquaintance with the interior.

We aimed to create a space that would be the first meeting with Saudi Arabia for the guests. The natural shades of the region, original art objects and art installations form a modern image of oriental hospitality, turning the VIP Lounge into a real oasis in the middle of the desert - a place where you can recuperate before a new stage of travel.

So, in one of the zones, the Matteo wall panel is assembled from thousands of multicolored glass elements that form a silhouette of desert sand dunes.

Royal hospitality

For us, as well as for the customer, it was important to create an interior that corresponds to the level of premium service of the lounge area. Therefore, each functional area was designed taking into account different scenarios of guests' stay.

Reception area and “Desert Flower”

The first impression of the lounge is formed by the spacious reception area. The accent of the space was a gradient wall panel made of etched metal, the shades of which resemble the sky in the rays of the setting sun. It serves as a backdrop for two central objects of the composition: the reception desk and the author's light installation.

The reception desk has a smooth bionic shape inspired by the flowing plastic of sand dunes. Its warm golden hue echoes the dome on the ceiling, from which the light installation "Desert Flower" smoothly descends. Together they form an expressive compositional center welcoming first class guests.

Central recreation area

In the center of the lounge there are comfortable sofa groups designed for a total of 50 seats. The layout is organized in such a way as to provide guests with privacy and the opportunity to independently choose the most comfortable location: facing the runways or towards the main lounge space.

The furniture composition is based on Reflex sofas in a brick shade, made in a combination of leather and textiles, as well as black Wayne Enterprises Home Collection armchairs. The leather design and the contrast of saturated shades refer to the aesthetics of the 2000s, while maintaining a modern interpretation in the style of Studia 54.

This area is equally well suited for quiet work and waiting for a flight, as well as for private negotiations or meetings in an informal setting.

There is also a separate relaxation area in the open space where guests can relax and recuperate between flights. The main element of this space is the extended day beds from Domkapa, which provide maximum comfort while waiting for the flight.

Meeting rooms

There are separate meeting rooms in the lounge for private business meetings. One of the partitions is completely made of bronze, and the layered relief of the surface resembles the smooth outlines of sand dunes, referring to the natural landscapes of Saudi Arabia.

The feeling of privacy was created without the use of doors and solid glazing. Due to the rounded shape of the partitions, the space resembles a shell hiding a pearl.

If the furniture in the main hall is made of genuine leather, then the atmosphere in the meeting rooms becomes softer. The Saloni sofas are made in snow-white textiles, and the Longhi coffee tables, trimmed with suede, complete the calm and tactile image of the space.

Buffet and bar area

In the buffet and bar area, functionality is combined with comfort. Rugiano's dining tables are positioned in such a way as to ensure convenient staff work and free movement of guests, while Giorgetti's bar stools allow you to sit at the counter with panoramic views of the runways.

Staying scenarios

The time spent at the airport is an integral part of the journey. That's why we tried to create a space that makes waiting hours as comfortable as possible. Therefore, when designing the lounge, we have thought through various scenarios of stay so that the space remains comfortable at any time of the day.

In the afternoon, you can hold a business meeting in a private meeting room or relax in one of the chamber lounges. For those who need to recuperate before the flight, there is a separate area with Domkapa day beds. In the evening and at night, a soft atmosphere is created by integrated lighting built into the ceiling made of natural veneer, and table lamps form local lighting for reading, work or quiet communication.