New York-Based Firm’s Design Brings Downtown Luxury to Newark Airport
The New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) has recognized New York–based architecture firm Slade Architecture with a Merit Award in the Interiors Category in recognition of its work on the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey.
The Newark Clubhouse, located airside after security checks in Terminal B, completed renovations in 2012. It delivers a comfortable, friendly and luxurious environment in one of the nation’s busiest international airports.A constellation of sparkling pinpoint lights draws visitors into the sculpted entry passage, creating an extended decompression zone between the bustling terminal and the relaxed luxury of the clubhouse.
The Clubhouse is organized around a faceted bar in the center of the lounge, culminating in a crystalline bottle display under the central skylight. Light ripples across the ceiling, encompassing an abstract geometric canopy that spills up into the two skylights.Slade Architecture designed the Clubhouse with a series of distinct spaces that pinwheel around the bar.
Each space references an iconic downtown typology- café, theater, art gallery, restaurant, club, bar, or lounge. Visitors have access to a wood-lined café, curtain-wrapped screening room, upholstered personal ‘pods,’ a gallery-like brasserie and a colorful origami lounge.
“We wanted to bring together NYC’s downtown flair and Virgin Atlantic’s warmth and individuality, and we applied that unique philosophy to each distinct section,” said Hayes Slade, co-founder of Slade Architecture. “The more time you spend exploring the lounge, the more it unfolds and reveals itself.”
Added Slade Architecture co-founder James Slade: “We are honored to receive recognition for this complex customer experience. The finished product brings luxury and comfort to Virgin Atlantic passengers, and it's extremely gratifying to see our team's dedication and inspiration recognized with this honor.”
For Slade Architecture, art was central to the creation of the downtown vibe. Digital finger paintings of lower Manhattan by New York artist Jorge Colombo animate the café. The brasserie features three mixed media works by New York artist Garrett Pruter, which is inspired by discarded travel photographs found in various downtown junk shops. The Clubhouse contains many custom elements, adding moments of discovery and humor to its guests. Graffiti-inspired wallpaper in the bathroom/shower area is illuminated by glowing resin sinks.
“AIA-NJ congratulates Hayes and James Slade. Their renovation to the clubhouse confirms the unique abilities that architects bring to projects of all types. This design will be utilized by countless travelers passing through the airport, cementing New Jersey's position as a premier, international transit hub," said Justin Mihalik, AIA, president of AIA-NJ. "The organization and use of space creates a dramatic immersion into the Virgin Atlantic experience, and is a new vision of travel in the twenty-first century.”
About the AIA New Jersey Design Awards Program
The AIA-NJ Annual Design Awards program recognizes architectural projects that exhibit design excellence in one of four categories: open (meant for any building type), residential, historic preservation and interior architecture. Projects are further designated as either “built” or “un-built.” To be eligible, projects must be either located in New Jersey or designed by an AIA-NJ architect. Submitted projects are evaluated during the organization’s annual Design Conference by a group of distinguished architects from throughout the country.
About AIA and AIA New Jersey
Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 87,000 licensed architects and allied professionals. The organization’s local chapter, AIA New Jersey, has served as the voice of the architecture profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has 2,000 members in six local sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org
