Woodhead has completed several diverse projects for Darwin International Airport, including aviation masterplanning, retail, food and beverage planning, and upgrades to the terminal interiors and external drop-off and pickup zones.
The Darwin Airport project encompassed the upgrade and reconfiguration of the domestic and international lounges. The central space between the two lounges is converted to a swing lounge, which can also act as a VIP lounge. This swing lounge is utilised by either domestic or international users in response to passenger traffic demands. The interiors feature an expression of the colours and landscapes prevalent in the “Top End”.
The masterplan project involved a land development plan focused on the optimisation of the aviation property. The masterplan divides the 87ha site into a series of precincts with a range of uses such as IT, commercial, freight forwarding, hotel and resort accommodation. The site masterplan provides a diversification away from a reliance solely on aviation related income.
More recently Woodhead was commissioned to undertake a design workshop for Darwin Airport, to form the basis for future terminal development. The concept design worked to open up view lines, so that passengers could see from the entrance to the departure gates, giving a sense of overall spaciousness to the building.
Increased exposure to retail and food and beverage concessions endeavour to provide a diversity of activities in an integrated space. The design philosophy brings ‘Darwin’ into the airport building, combining art and architecture, reinforcing the local identity.
