Seating supplied by Collective demonstrates the transformative power of thoughtful design in a public area of Brussels Airport which turned a high-traffic area into an enjoyable, luxurious experience.
Seamless Integration: Modular bench seating designed by Norman Foster enhances a public area at Brussels Airport.
Collective, an agent for furniture and lighting brands throughout Belgium and Luxembourg, provided a selection of beautiful pieces for Brussels Airport. This project provides a powerful case study in how thoughtful design and premium materials can transform a public space.
Poltrona Frau's premium leatherwork ensures durability and elegance in the airport’s busiest terminals.
With over 22 million passengers passing through Brussels Airport annually, the challenge was to create a seating solution that not only met the airport's aesthetic and functional demands but would also endure the heavy use of this environment and comply with stringent safety regulations.
At the heart of the project is the installation of the Bay Lounge, a modular bench design by renowned British architect Norman Foster and manufactured by luxury Italian furniture brand Poltrona Frau. The choice was not just about this product appearance, it was also a strategic decision to align with the airport’s objective of offering a premium flying experience. Many of its passengers are business travellers or connected with high-profile institutions such as the European Union and NATO.
The seating combines with planting to provide a pleasant environment for airport travellers.
The Bay Lounge benches are specifically for high-traffic areas like airports and combine the purity of Foster’s design ethos with Poltrona Frau’s expertise in high-quality leatherwork, ensuring both durability and a luxurious feel. The project’s complexity was amplified by the unique challenges posed by the airport environment.
High-quality materials and meticulous planning create a 'premium standard' experience.
Collective answered a complex brief. The seating had to be modular to fit the organic shapes of the terminal's architecture and adaptable enough to seat nearly 100 people in a non-linear space. Additionally, every material used—from the leather to the foam—had to pass rigorous fire safety tests, a necessity in this type of environment. The meticulous planning even extended to the installation phase, where the logistics of delivery were tightly controlled to meet security standards.
Ultimately, this project underscores the critical role of design and materials in creating a pleasing environment, plus the importance of local market knowledge courtesy of Collective, which is the main distributor for a total of 11 beautiful furniture and lighting brands. The Brussels Airport project is not just a showcase of beautiful furniture; it’s a testament to how design can elevate everyday spaces into memorable experiences, blending form, function, and safety seamlessly.
