Spotted Gum engineered timber from Big River Group was installed in the upgraded Southern Concourse terminal at the Brisbane Domestic Airport.

Apart from its status as Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane is also a popular holiday destination for both interstate and international travellers. With increasing passenger numbers at the Brisbane Domestic Airport, a stylish and efficient retail upgrade was planned for the Southern Concourse terminal encompassing a food court, premium inline food and beverage tenancies, and a small kiosk-like pop up retail coexisting with the airport’s operational requirements.

The brief for award-winning architecture firm, ARKHFIELD was to create a uniquely Queensland environment that would feel comfortable and hospitable for travellers to use as a dwell space, said Angela Layton, Practice Director and Interior Designer.

The original airport was constructed in 1988 with a standout feature being the colonnaded atrium under a skylight stretching the length of the building, and providing natural light throughout the entire space. Angela described this connection to light as a major source of inspiration for the design of the new retail upgrade in the Southern Concourse.

Another important design consideration was to honour the materials and craftsmanship of South East Queensland by using local materials and furniture makers to create a domestically scaled space. According to Angela, they used timbers from Big River Group because they are sustainable, local and durable, and have a warm aesthetic, lending an almost domestic feeling to what is often a very commercial and transient space.

Installed by Formosa Constructions, Big River’s Spotted Gum engineered timber is the centrepiece to the design, and echoes the warmth and relaxed attitude of Queensland. At a functional level, the timber is sustainable, stable and durable making it perfect for the air-conditioned space; using solid timber in a heavily air-conditioned space runs the risk of warping and twisting in the joinery. Additionally, Big River’s engineered timber boards could be provided within the tight timeframes.

The newly upgraded retail space in the Southern Concourse also features custom-made furniture and mezzanine windows, with all the elements coming together to showcase the sunny, vibrant and welcoming nature of Queensland and its friendly people.