Copenhagen Airport
Copenhagen, Denmark
CHAIRS FOR A NATURAL FLOW OF MOVEMENT
It is one of the first of its kind. A new extension to Copenhagen Airport is creating growth by utilising design and scientific knowledge. “Nudging” is the name of the method that ensures the ultimate pleasant and efficient flow of passengers – without instructions or constraints.
Copenhagen Airport is expanding. With the new building, it will be able to handle the world’s largest long-haul aircraft. To continue to earn the title of the world’s most efficient airport, this requires logistics that make handling smooth and comfortable for passengers. The new building, which serves as a transit area for passengers, was designed by the architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen. Their approach to spatial design creates an exceptional flow of movement.
The building is dark on the outside, light and spacious on the inside with a view of the aircraft, white marble floors, huge round lights and a pitch-black wall colour. You could see the 700 dark Series 7™ chairs and the Dot™ chairs as a gigantic demonstration of Danish aesthetics and design. On the other hand, it makes sense for an airport in Copenhagen to showcase the essence of Danish design tradition. Either way, the placement of each chair has been carefully considered. And it works.
An enormous amount of time and money has been spent on behavioural studies among passengers. Studies show how differently people travel – depending on whether they are travelling in groups, alone, on business or for leisure. Different zones have been set up, e.g. comfortable corners for families or high tables with bar stools as workstations for business travellers. Instead of the classic long rows of interconnected chairs, the arrangement follows the Tetris pattern. In long rows, only every second or third chair is normally occupied. This pattern, on the other hand, encourages passengers to use the entire area. They spread out naturally without the need for instructions.
Experience shows that passengers rarely take the seats furthest away from the corridors and the centre of the areas. To encourage them to use the entire area for everyone’s comfort, a subtle yet highly elegant design was chosen. All chairs in the corner areas are covered with soft textiles. The Series 7 chairs have armrests; there are power sockets next to the chairs. It’s so simple – and very efficient.
Copenhagen Airport is one of the first in the world where spaces and movement flows have been designed based on scientific knowledge of human behaviour. The design has been tested and produced astonishing results: the time delay between gate and departure is reduced by more than 100 per cent. The method used also includes soundless screens calling passengers to flights by name and large flags to mark check-in counters. No loudspeaker announcements disrupt the overall experience.
The choice of design and quality serves to directly reinforce the destinations. Nanna Wohlfeldt, architect at Schmidt Hammer Lassen, describes it as follows: “It makes it clear that we are inviting the guest into an environment with recognisable design classics. Quality and comfort show passengers how welcome they are here.”
Productsused:
Bruno Wickart AG and Fritz Hansen maintain a close and cooperative partnership. The Bruno Wickart range includes several Fritz Hansen bestsellers and new products, including the Via 57 lounge chair by Bjarke Ingels, which was created especially for the West Building in New York, the 7 Chairs series and the Egg and Swan armchairs by Arne Jacobsen, the wooden shell chair series 3107 by Arne Jacobsen, the new armchairs Ro and Fri by Jaime Hayon, the Ant chair by Arne Jacobsen, the Poul Kjaerholm collection PK20 armchair and the PK24 lounger, the Oxford Chair by Arne Jacobsen, the Drop chair by Arne Jacobsen and, brand new, the extremely modular Lune sofa, and much more.
The building is dark on the outside, light and spacious on the inside with a view of the aircraft, white marble floors, huge round lights and a pitch-black wall colour. You could see the 700 dark Series 7™ chairs and the Dot™ chairs as a gigantic demonstration of Danish aesthetics and design. On the other hand, it makes sense for an airport in Copenhagen to showcase the essence of Danish design tradition. Either way, the placement of each chair has been carefully considered. And it works.
An enormous amount of time and money has been spent on behavioural studies among passengers. Studies show how differently people travel – depending on whether they are travelling in groups, alone, on business or for leisure. Different zones have been set up, e.g. comfortable corners for families or high tables with bar stools as workstations for business travellers. Instead of the classic long rows of interconnected chairs, the arrangement follows the Tetris pattern. In long rows, only every second or third chair is normally occupied. This pattern, on the other hand, encourages passengers to use the entire area. They spread out naturally without the need for instructions.
Experience shows that passengers rarely take the seats furthest away from the corridors and the centre of the areas. To encourage them to use the entire area for everyone’s comfort, a subtle yet highly elegant design was chosen. All chairs in the corner areas are covered with soft textiles. The Series 7 chairs have armrests; there are power sockets next to the chairs. It’s so simple – and very efficient.
Copenhagen Airport is one of the first in the world where spaces and movement flows have been designed based on scientific knowledge of human behaviour. The design has been tested and produced astonishing results: the time delay between gate and departure is reduced by more than 100 per cent. The method used also includes soundless screens calling passengers to flights by name and large flags to mark check-in counters. No loudspeaker announcements disrupt the overall experience.
The choice of design and quality serves to directly reinforce the destinations. Nanna Wohlfeldt, architect at Schmidt Hammer Lassen, describes it as follows: “It makes it clear that we are inviting the guest into an environment with recognisable design classics. Quality and comfort show passengers how welcome they are here.”
Productsused:
- Series 3107 chair
- Dot chair
Bruno Wickart AG and Fritz Hansen maintain a close and cooperative partnership. The Bruno Wickart range includes several Fritz Hansen bestsellers and new products, including the Via 57 lounge chair by Bjarke Ingels, which was created especially for the West Building in New York, the 7 Chairs series and the Egg and Swan armchairs by Arne Jacobsen, the wooden shell chair series 3107 by Arne Jacobsen, the new armchairs Ro and Fri by Jaime Hayon, the Ant chair by Arne Jacobsen, the Poul Kjaerholm collection PK20 armchair and the PK24 lounger, the Oxford Chair by Arne Jacobsen, the Drop chair by Arne Jacobsen and, brand new, the extremely modular Lune sofa, and much more.
