Woods Bagot has used a combination of materials, colours and graphics to redefine Perth’s Qantas Domestic Terminal 4, creating an environment that positively engages with travellers to create a sense of place.

Working with Wood and Grieve, Savills, Slattery and local contractor SHAPE on the terminal’s refurbishment, Woods Bagot has helped enhance the airport experience for both travellers and staff. The design integrates important components of space and functionality, using clear and helpful features, specific lighting and graphics to create a deliberate sense of direction for passengers to find their way around the terminal.

The Woods Bagot Project Team from the Perth Studio consisted of Jason Boyle (Lead Designer), Paul Curtin (Graduate Project Lead), Carissa Araminta (Graduate Designer) and Nick Wroth (Graduate Designer).

The approach to the wall graphics plays with the idea of Perth as the City of Lights, with abstract reflections of the city’s skyline reflected on the Swan River. Boyle explains that the use of perforated metal with graphics and text is engaging yet practical, making use of a prominent service element and turning it into an interacting feature.

Standout features in Woods Bagot’s interior design work for Qantas’ terminal include white painted steel structures and concrete columns uncluttering the space to calm weary travellers; feature lighting on the columns with a proposed anodised copper look adding an element of warmth and richness to the space; new flooring and careful application of colour and materials; and a large curved ‘welcome wall’ at the end of the arrivals route to ‘embrace’ passengers, with all the elements coming together to create an engaging and positive environment. The welcome wall will incorporate a large dynamic LCD screen to provide information, advertise promotions and also welcome Qantas customers.

According to Boyle, the design delivers a calm ambience with lifestyle facilities to produce a terminal space that is practical and enjoyable for Qantas staff and its valued customers.