"The Cabin" is the latest addition to the Cathay Pacific lounge collection at Hong Kong International Airport. Combining the highest quality materials with a new seating system designed by Foster + Partners, it will transform the experience for passengers using Hong Kong's flag carrier. The design supports Cathay Pacific's concept for a high-quality lounge that can accommodate both First and Business Class passengers, while maximising the available space for relaxation and the airline's range of hospitality facilities.
To the right of the entrance is an IT zone, easily accessed from the reception area, while to the left there is The Deli, The Health Bar and the Relaxing Zone. The linear arrangement of spaces is accessed from a long red carpet, which runs along the floor to ceiling windows of the terminal building. In keeping with Foster + Partners' original design intent for the airport, all spaces benefit from daylight and airside views. The materials palette combines marble, leather upholstery and bamboo, with a highly reflective ceiling.
The practice has designed the interiors, as well as most of the furniture, including the Cathay Solus Chair, manufactured in Italy by Poltrona Frau. Its hourglass form rises from a circular base to create a private space for individual travellers. The chair's soft leather upholstery is enclosed by a solid, lacquered shell. Designed to function as part of a cloud-like cluster of chairs, as well as providing a secluded space to eat, work or relax, its distinctive curved form was the result of studies into the different ways guests adapted the existing lounge furniture. As well as a wide, comfortable seat, the chair integrates a power supply and a table, which can be used as an informal desk.
"This is the first of a series of lounges that we have designed at Hong Kong International Airport for Cathay Pacific, each of which has its own ambience and set of facilities," commented David Nelson, senior partner and joint head of design at Foster + Partners. "Designing an interior concept for a building we completed more than ten years ago presented an interesting challenge - our approach has been to create a comfortable new lounge for Cathay Pacific that will help passengers rediscover a little of the glamour of travel, while enhancing and broadening the Cathay experience into four quite different lounges."
"Foster + Partners has created a truly exceptional space which reflects Cathay Pacific's brand positioning and meets the needs of our premium passengers," said Alex McGowan, Head of Product for Cathay Pacific Airways. "Their creativity and professionalism in leading the multi-company design team has given us a lounge which we're confident will prove to be extremely popular."