More comfort at the airport with Artemide and Lufthansa

For the frequent travellers and business passengers of German airline Lufthansa and partner association Star Alliance, the question of whether they will continue to receive special service and attention once things have returned to so-called normality, post-pandemic, might be answered, in part, with a visit to Milan. In Malpensa, the larger of the two airports in the design and fashion metropolis, the Lufthansa Lounge had already been redesigned before the Corona pandemic hit. Designed by Bochum-based Kitzig Interior Design and realised using lights from Italian brand Artemide – which has its headquarters not far from the airport – a design-savvy haven of peace has been created in this hectic transit centre.

Taking a deep breath before departure

In an area covering 550 sqm – made available for the lounge thanks to the restructuring of other existing spaces – Kitzig Interior Design developed an exclusive design concept that would invite guests to withdraw and feel at ease in an area filled with high-quality furniture. And because each visitor has individual needs, various different lounges were integrated into the spacious, open area which guests can choose from, depending on whether they want to relax, enjoy the culinary offerings or concentrate on their work.

One fundamental design element that helps to differentiate usage areas, such as walking zones and seating areas, is the lighting from the project's various luminaires. The designers were assisted on questions of positioning and programming by the lighting design team from Artemide Germany. In addition to the appeal of the designer luminaires in themselves, intelligent lighting systems help to create the right atmosphere for different lighting requirements – warm, subdued light for the cosier areas, for example, and more energising colour temperatures for working spaces.

Pioneering presentation

Even before reaching the reception desk of the lounge, a yellow-framed portal that is visible from a distance, marks the entrance. This is discreetly accentuated with the help of Artemide's flexible Dedalo lighting system. Inside, linear luminaires from the Algoritmo line, dynamically distributed on the floor and ceiling, show the way in and to the various areas. And the more attentive guests will also recognise the allusions. As the manufacturer puts it: the light stripes are ‘reminiscent of the catwalks of the fashion metropolis Milan, but also of the airport and its runways.’

In addition to the diffuse, indirect Algoritmo luminaires on the floor and ceiling, the lounge also uses the focused light of the Algoritmo Sharping variant. Just like these, the LED spotlight 37 Cube also produces excellently accentuated light. According to Artemide, the spotlight offers high lighting quality, extremely small dimensions and an unsurpassable ability to rotate and tilt’. The Parabola 80 spots, meanwhile, which are equipped with effective high-performance LEDs, provide pleasant ambient lighting.

A sky of dewdrops

Above the seating areas, a number of eye-catching Empatia pendant luminaires are employed, arranged in clusters of different sizes. The luminaire is a symbiosis of Venetian glassblowing art and innovative LED technology. Like dewdrops of glass, the volumes diffused on the underside create the desired feel-good atmosphere in the dining and rest areas. In contrast, the pendant luminaires from the Tagora family are somewhat more discreet, integrating into the ambience with their minimalist design – for example, above the cake buffet.

Even if the declared goal was to develop the Lufthansa Lounge at Milan's Malpensa Airport as a general model for future Lufthansa lounges, it was considered at least as important to give the place a distinctive character. For this reason, the designers integrated references to the design and fashion city in the different spaces, for example, in the form of historical city maps on the wall surfaces. Fresh, Italian specialities are prepared daily in the show kitchen, and of course, the luminaires from the manufacturer also contribute to the Italian flair.

In addition to the technical expertise and sophisticated design, the designers appreciated Artemide's focus on energy efficiency and the sustainability performance of the luminaires on the collaboration. So, likely not the last successful project that the two will share – just as with Lufthansa.

Photos: © Deutsche Lufthansa AG

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