QANTAS First Class Lounge in Singapore by CAON Studio & Akin Atelier.

CAON Studio and Akin Atelier have collaborated on the Qantas First Class Lounge at Singapore’s Changi airport. The interior reflects shared principles across both Australian studios’ approach to design, informed by the impact of the built environment on the human experience. Occupying over 1,000sqm, the luxury lounge has capacity for 245 guests. Custom interiors and furnishings ensure a streamlined plan that accommodates how passengers would like to spend their time prior to flying; considering priorities such as refresh, relax, dine and work.

The First Lounge is divided into five areas including the dining room, lounge, cocktail bar, VIP quiet room, bathroom and shower suites. Perforated walls, banquettes and curved brass partitions with integrated staff wait stations divide each area while maintaining an open plan. The luxury material palette comprises a curated selection of Carrara marble, European oak, brass, bespoke large-chip terrazzo and plush carpet in calming tones. The various textures and materials speak to both the Qantas brand language and the local vernacular of Singapore, adding a contextual layer to the interior.

Seating options traverse a mix of classic chairs and lounges, with custom designs from CAON via their in-house brand BLOC. Other key pieces include Gebrüder Thonet Targa chairs, Carl Hansen & Sons Embrace dining and lounge chairs, Walter Knoll Lead chairs, and Crown Easy chairs by Mass Production. Modern yet ambient lighting adds a grounded softness to the interior. Joe Colombo Coupe floor lamps, Flos IC wall lights, Henry Wilson sconces, and custom ceiling pendants are among the selections specified.

A crucial factor in design across the travel sector, wellness was a critical consideration for CAON and Akin Atelier. Coelux skylights in the bathroom suites and VIP area mimic natural daylight, assisting in regulating travellers’ body clocks. Lush greenery is planted throughout the lounge, supporting passenger wellbeing while adding colour, vibrancy, and a reference to Singapore’s verdant pockets of nature.

Related: Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Business Class Lounge in Hong Kong by Ilse Crawford.

[Images courtesy of CAON Studio & Akin Atelier. Photography by Jovian Lim.]