A new hotel and coworking precinct, designed by FK, has opened at Melbourne Airport. The mixed-use hub features two Accor-managed hotel brands, Novotel and ibis Styles, and is the first new-build hotel at the airport in over 20 years.
Located adjacent to the Terminal 4 transport hub, the precinct aims to create a memorable experience for travelers and the airport community.
The design’s standout feature is the striking ‘aerofoil’ — a sculptural structure resembling an aircraft wing, which serves as a visual landmark for the precinct. The aerofoil’s curved bronze facade, punctuated with arched windows, offers stunning views of the Terminal 4 runway while housing a two-level coworking space with lounges and bookable meeting areas.
“We wanted to counter the sleek exterior with a rich, layered material palette, adorned with natural materials like timber, veneer and seagrass rugs. This created an effect of a warm, organic core within the sweeping cylindrical shell outside,” notes FK principal Sarah Hurst.
“The aerofoil’s curved facade created areas of spatial compression. These compressed spaces were transformed into intimate meeting rooms, break-out areas, private nooks, and working lounges, with the sense of compression and feeling of retreat enhanced by a warm, rich material palette,” says Hurst.
“We approached the design and spatial planning to maximize the aerofoil’s unique viewpoints over the runway, strategically locating spaces for quiet work or meetings that make the most of the views.
“Our goal was to deliver a memorable experience for guests and users, while also creating an intimate feeling and calm environment that would act as a place to retreat from the fast-paced airport environment,” says Hurst.
On the first floor, bookable desks and quiet areas promote productivity, while the top floor offers versatile meeting rooms for various business needs. The L-shaped hotel wings, designed for operational efficiency, house amenities and a lively ground floor space.
“Within the L-shaped hotel building frames the aerofoil, we designed a 2-level gym with associated wellness spaces, including treatment rooms, lap pool and sauna.
The overall ambition was to contrast the technical aerospace-inspired exterior design with warm, inviting interiors to create a high-end, hospitality-driven aesthetic throughout,” says Hurst.
