DESIGN BLOG
Thoughts
&
Musings
Sept-Iles Airport
Airport as a Community Space
Airport as Community Space - A Meeting Point Between Two Cultures
Project: Sept-IIes Airport - Sept-IIes, Quebec.
Client: Public Works and Governmental Services Canada (PWGSC)
Design Team: Gelare Danaie, Pedro Andrade, Matt Ziyaee
Consultant Team: Stantec Engineering
Size: 65,440 square feet (6,080 sqm)
Project Completion: 2019
With a change in passenger numbers and airline traffic, it was necessary for the Sept-Îles Airport to rethink the demands which resulted in infrastructure upgrades as well as improvements that enhanced the customer passenger experience. Operating on the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River, Sept-Îles Airport is located a short distance from the main city of Sept-Îles.
The city is home to over 25,000 residents, consisting of both a proud and growing Innu and European community. As a significant meeting point, these two distinct cultures formed the inspiration for the narrative of the design concept.
Critical to the vision of the project, was the importance of enhancing the customer experience along the journey. Developing intuitive wayfinding and implementing strategic decision making points were mapped along the entire customer journey for both arriving and departing passengers.
Each interaction along the customer journey, from check-in, baggage drop, security gates, baggage pickup, and curbside pickup were carefully explored with various stakeholders and user groups. For each step of the process, the goal was to create a clean and uncluttered environment where passengers are able to easily navigate their way, with clear sightlines and minimum use of textual language.
The reliance of merging infographics and art helped reinforce and convey the concept of a "meeting point between two cultures."
Supporting the airport requirements as a community and meeting destination, the team implemented a multifunctional hall on the second level for the purposes of hosting cultural events and community gatherings in a unique setting.
Other enhancements including fostering connections between the interior and exterior were explored, where access to daylight and views benefited a customer’s orientation and well-being. These improved connections created more opportunities for passengers to view the apron activity and beyond, creating unique and memorable experiences.
Air Canada Cargo
Branded Environments
Branded Environments
Project: Air Canada Cargo CHIP, Head Offices – Mississauga, Ontario
Client: Air Canada Corporate Real Estate (CRE)
Design Team: Gelare Danaie, Greg Parsons, Matt Ziyaee, and Pedro Andrade
Consultant Team: Quasar Engineering
Size: 43,227 square feet (4,016sqm)
Estimated Completion: In progress / 2021
The DEXD team was awarded to redesign the existing Air Canada Cargo CHIP head offices located at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Located on the third level of the main Air Canada Cargo building, the overarching goal was to consolidate and create an open and collaborative workplace environment with flexible meeting spaces maximizing efficiencies.
Early engagement sessions with our client and the various stakeholders included establishing and finalizing programming requirements, facilitating user group meetings, leading design charrettes, while managing project delivery and timelines. Early engagement with our Engineers was helpful in establishing extent of work and potential impacts to both schedule and construction budgets.
Several planning options including hybrids were presented for the purposes of generating discussion. Solutions included flexible social areas of collaboration, dedicated spaces for workshops /meetings, and quiet zones for those performing tasks requiring concentration.
Integral to the overall design experience, DEXD was given the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the history and future growth of the Cargo division and its valued employees.
Our approach to storytelling began by strategically implementing oversized graphics throughout the space, helping to convey our clients story to its stakeholders in the form of a meaningful and memorable experience. A simple, minimalistic approach was taken and where the brand was prioritized to have the greatest impact.
