UAE. Portland Design’s latest project, the CNN Traveller café at Abu Dhabi International Airport (operated by SSP), is themed around the idea of keeping passengers constantly connected.
As reported, the café features CNN International broadcast in HD on a number of screens, with an integrated audio system for each table; online, social and visual CNN content displayed on a media wall comprising four Samsung digital units, plus latest news headlines in an RSS news ticker situated above the serving counter.
CNN Traveller café offers customers a wide range of food & beverage in CNN-branded packaging and crockery. Items on the menu include local specialties such as fatoush or taboule salad as well as a selection of open sandwiches, breakfast and all-day sandwiches and wraps. Customers also have access to free Wi-Fi.
The modular design concept, which ranges from 150sq m (the café only) to 400sq m (the café plus retail and salon areas), is aimed at business and leisure passengers who like to be constantly informed.
The café features CNN’s colours of red, white, grey and black, said to reflect the strength and authority of the CNN brand.
 |
The world’s first CNN Traveller café aims to keep passengers informed and connected |
In terms of the brand identity, Portland designed the CNN Traveller marque based on the existing CNN identity, using the same graphic motif and embedding it within the CNN Traveller identity.
Portland also used the theme of “smart connections” to connect customers through stories to news events explaining their history and meaning. The idea of the smart brand is also translated into the menu, with insights and stories around health and wellbeing all featuring on the product packaging.
Portland Director of Environments Lewis Allen commented: “CNN is famous for being the first to break news and get to stories faster than their rivals. So we took the idea of “constantly being connected” and translated this into a travel retail context where staying connected with life, with news and with family and friends is an important need.
“The design is very focused on the needs of the traveller. This is exemplified by traveller-friendly design solutions throughout the CNN Traveller café that add amenity and practicality for travelling consumers. For example, smart table storage where people can put their mobile devices while they are charging; flip seats that are integrated into the wall and located at perch points; luggage storage areas under tables and banquette seating. Customers can also personalise their space and experience through lighting, sound and connectivity”.
Portland said it was working with its partners to launch the next CNN Traveller café in 2015, at Dubai International Airport.
