LAVA has designed the Regional Duty Free area at the Sydney Airport. The design is inspired by the sandstone rock formations of the world famous Sydney Harbor. Featuring living Australian bush, the cave-like shelves create an experiential showcase for regional Sydney products.
"Millions of tourists pass through this section of the airport every year and we wanted them to remember Sydney by its unique setting on the harbour. We felt that the harbour is the most evocative representation of everything that is Sydney," commented Chris Bosse, director of LAVA. "We didn't believe that using stereotypes like the opera house and kangaroos would work."
The retail layout captures the topography of the harbor inlets as seen from the air. Just as the harbour foreshore is different in every spot, so too the curved display stands are each unique, in shape, height and size. Ten stands vary from small low inlets to steep escarpments, from deeply eroded caves to shallow beaches. On top of each display tufts of living Australian plants cascade over, referencing the green flora on top of the cliffs of the harbor.
The 250 linear meters of shelves are made of recyclable and eco-friendly plywood, with edges exposed. The rich and varied hues of the variegated layers of sandstone are reflected in the colours of plywood. Strips of green laminate on top of the display units unify the space.
Photography: Alphonsus Fok & Oliver Heinemann