AUSTRALIA. Heinemann Tax & Duty Free at Sydney Airport’s International Terminal 1 has been awarded gold at the 2016 Sydney Design Awards and Summit for the Interior Design – Retail category.
The Sydney Design Awards, now in their fifth year, recognise and celebrate interior design creativity and innovation. They focus on the visual experience delivered through design, furnishings, finishes and aesthetic presentation.
Heinemann’s T1 Departures store transformation, formally opened earlier in May, has secured gold for what was described as its “innovative and unique interior design concept” developed in partnership with interior design firm Geyer.
Sydney Airport commented: “The new store design showcases a more contemporary look and feel, enhancing the duty free in-store experience and delivering a strong sense of place that is uniquely Sydney.”
Key features include a bespoke sectional design highlighting the extensive category ranges, including perfumes and cosmetics, wine and liquor, fashion and fine foods and confectionery. Tailored customer engagement zones deliver a range of retail concepts to heighten the shopping experience.
A new, five-metre-wide straight path in the middle of the store allows passengers to make their way through the store easily, enhancing wayfinding and improving sightlines to gates.
A contemporary and artistic interpretation of Australian jacaranda trees is woven throughout the store, with pops of purple lights descending from custom-made steel structures, creating a unique design focal point. The store also features environmentally friendly LED lighting.
Heinemann’s two dining concepts, Bridge Bar (pictured below) and Coast Café, provide passengers with a relaxing environment to enjoy pre-flight dining. Bridge Bar features rich wood tones and brass accents embodying the urban feel of Alexandria, while Coast Café showcases a sandstone façade and lighter tones to represent the historic Sydney area of The Rocks.
The menu for both venues has been crafted in partnership with renowned chef Luke Mangan to deliver a contemporary food and beverage offering that showcases local Australian ingredients.
Heinemann’s five-store footprint across Sydney Airport’s T1 spans over 9,000msq m, delivering what Sydney Airport called a “world-class shopping experience” for more than 14.5 million passengers travelling through the terminal each year.
“This award is confirmation that in collaboration with Geyer, Heinemann Australia has created a truly remarkable environment,” said Heinemann Managing Director Australia Constantin Wiesmann.
[Click on the arrow above to hear Max Heinemann and Constantin Wiesmann talk about the new store during its formal opening in May]
“We set a robust brief to construct the largest duty free store that empowers the Australian aesthetic, while creating a uniquely Sydney and memorable experience for international visitors and locals. This win is brilliant recognition that together, we not only delivered a world-class retail space, but have further cemented Gebr. Heinemann as a leader in travel retail.”
Sydney Airport General Manager Retail Glyn Williams (one of the lead speakers at next month’s Trinity Forum in Mumbai) said: “We congratulate our partner Heinemann Tax & Duty Free on winning this award. We’re very proud to be working with such an innovative duty free partner, delivering exceptional value and choice and exciting shopping experiences for T1 passengers.”
