Projects

Lomond Lounge

SPACE provided interior architecture and design services for the new Lomond Lounge at Glasgow Airport.

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  • Client: Sodexo
  • Year: 2019
  • Size: 5760 sq. ft
  • Location: Glasgow
  • Sector: Commercial
  • Scope: Space Planning, Interior Design, Architectural Design, 3D Rendered Visuals
Overview 

The Lomond Grill, part of the original Glasgow airport designed by Sir Basil Spence in the 1960s, boasted Spence’s signature barrel-vaulted ceilings, offered passengers the opportunity to relax and refresh with panoramic views north over the tarmac towards Loch Lomond. In the years since, the Lomond Grill had evolved into an entirely different experience, with many of the original features virtually unrecognisable. Following the winning of a design competition organised by Sodexo, we restored the grill to its previous glory in the form of the new luxury Lomond Lounge.

Our Approach

Our design focused on the sustainable reuse of an existing building and reinstating the original architecture to bring back the use of space, features, light, and views. A previously lowered ceiling had hidden the original vaulted ceiling and rooflights, and our aim was to strip that back and let the space be how it was conceived. Different zones were created to allow for different guests to use the lounge in unique ways: quiet tv/working lounge, Bar & Bistro area, and social lounge to watch the planes on the runway.

​Working with a building of a certain vintage poses challenges and this project was no exception. Like so many other historic buildings, the lounge contained asbestos, so our first step was to ensure careful investigation to make the project a safe one. There was a lot of coordination between the structural engineers and the mechanical and electrical engineers to design a structural and services solution that could work in the existing space. As a result, we built suspended rafts to house these services, which allowed us to retain the space and have the high level windows to bring in the natural light.

Heavily influenced by Scottish heritage, the interior design featured a natural Scottish palette and locally sourced fabrics to complement the views towards Loch Lomond. These natural colours and textures brought richness and warmth to the space, giving it a modern feel of luxury. The lounge opened in 2019 and is a successful testament to the sustainable reuse of existing buildings.