BNE International Terminal to Undergo $45 Million Transformation
A redevelopment of Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal will make it one of the most beautiful, unique and welcoming in the world, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) CEO and Managing Director Julieanne Alroe announced today.
BAC is investing $45 million to redevelop Brisbane Airport’s (BNE) International Terminal, establishing a global benchmark for design and creating an truly unique gateway to our new world city.Work on the transformation of the terminal, which will feature a distinctly Brisbane design and additional space to showcase local retailers, is set to commence in February 2014 and is scheduled for completion in mid-2015.BAC CEO and Managing Director Julieanne Alroe said the reinvigorated arrivals and departures areas of the International Terminal would authentically reflect the character of Brisbane and spirit of Queensland, while providing the very best hello and goodbye for travellers.
“Most airport terminals are alike, no matter where you are in the world. Few have a real sense of the destination and community they serve. Brisbane is about to break that mould and set a new world-best standard for terminal design,” said Ms Alroe.
“Queensland and our cosmopolitan capital city are among the most liveable places on the planet and this project gave us the opportunity to reflect our enviable lifestyle and natural assets in the vibrant redevelopment of the International Terminal.“We’ve been planning this project for the past two and a half years – it is the most ambitious redevelopment we’ve embarked on since the terminal was first opened in 1995.
“When we’ve finished, our International Terminal will be the most impressive and unique in Australia and completely different from anywhere else in the world. It will be something locals will be proud of and visitors will fondly remember.”Ms Alroe said BAC had harnessed a raft of Queensland talent for the project and chosen local architects Richards and Spence and Arkhefield for the project.
“We wanted the International Terminal to feel like it couldn’t be anywhere other than Brisbane, so it was important for us to engage local expertise in Richards and Spence and Arkhefield because they understand Brisbane and have been responsible for developing a new and very contemporary take on the Queensland architectural style,” Ms Alroe said.“At the same time, we asked travel, transport and branding guru Tyler Brûlé to cast his independent and objective global traveller’s eye over the airport to help us plan for the future and meet our vision to create a world-best experience."Tyler’s unique experience with global aviation and transport hubs, comprehensive understanding of the international travel market and particular interest in the importance of form and function in design was extremely valuable in this process,”
Ms Alroe said.“The strategy Tyler and his team from Winkreative worked on became the blueprint for the terminal project,” Ms Alroe said.Ms Alroe said BAC would increase its collection of public art at both terminals and within the Skygate precinct as part of the redevelopment, in keeping with the airport precinct’s strong connection to, and support for, the arts community.“When we were developing this project, we wanted to make sure art was at the heart of it. So (Queensland) artists Sally Gabori and Sebastian Moody have been commissioned to be part of the creative process,” Ms Alroe said.“We look forward to unveiling their contribution over the coming months.”
As a flagship development for BNE, the transformation of the International Terminal will set the tone for future projects and infrastructure improvements at the airport precinct.
Ms Alroe said the airport precinct was undergoing an unprecedented level of activity, demonstrating the critical role BAC played in supporting Brisbane’s new world city agenda.“Work has commenced on the next important phase of the $1.3 billion New Parallel Runway and more than 50 projects are underway in the broader airport precinct,” she said.“This is an exciting chapter in the growth and evolution of Brisbane and one of its most important economic and social enablers – the Brisbane Airport precinct.”
About BAC: BAC is the visionary planner and expert steward of the multi-faceted Brisbane Airport precinct, encompassing BNE and associated retail, commercial, training, tourism and property operations.BNE is the front door to Queensland, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It operates two major terminals which service 29 airlines flying to 43 national and 28 international destinations. In FY13, more than 21.6 million passengers travelled thorough BNE.BNE is consistently recognised as a leading airport nationally and internationally including being ranked as Australia’s No. 1 airport for quality of service nine years in a row by the ACCC and 2nd in 2013 Skytrax World Airport Awards Best Airports in Australia/Pacific.BAC’s staggering direct economic contribution to Queensland and significant flow on benefits – jobs, investment and opportunity – is powering local, state and national growth.
About Winkreative: Winkreative was founded in 1998 by global media and branding identity Tyler Brûlé. Winkreative is a full service branding, design and content agency serving a broad range of premium international clients including American Express, BlackBerry, Porter Airlines, Pictet, Swire Properties, Hyundai Card, Wish Casa, AmorePacific, Luxottica and Thailand.
About Richards & Spence: Richards & Spence, established by co-directors Ingrid Richards and Adrian Spence in 2008, specialises in robust solutions to retail, restaurant and commercial developments.Modes of habitation, contextual appropriateness, authenticity and endurance form the basis of each project. Recent examples include the popular 19 James Street retail precinct and 32 Burnett Lane/ Survey Co. restaurant and laneway refurbishment in Brisbane’s CBD.The Richards and Spence team for this project includes cultural strategists Right Angle Studio and art curators mc/k art.
About Arkhefield: Arkhefield is a national award winning architectural and interior design practice. They bring a wealth of expertise to the project having delivered some of Queensland’s most notable retail, commercial and public architecture in recent years including Brisbane’s landmark The Barracks, River Quay and Stokehouse in Southbank, as well as Cairns’ and Townsville’s Cruise Port Terminals.