{"id":1744,"date":"2025-08-16T17:00:50","date_gmt":"2025-08-16T17:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scientificmediagroup.com\/?p=1744"},"modified":"2025-10-02T16:30:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T16:30:50","slug":"mrdk-upgrades-calgary-airport-lounge-with-garden-oasis-extension-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.scientificmediagroup.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/16\/mrdk-upgrades-calgary-airport-lounge-with-garden-oasis-extension-2\/","title":{"rendered":"MRDK upgrades Calgary airport lounge with “garden oasis” extension"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Aspire<\/div>\n

Lush planting surrounds this airport lounge<\/a> in Calgary International Airport, designed by Montreal studio M\u00e9nard Dworkind<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Aspire WestJet Garden Lounge is an extension of the existing Aspire<\/a> lounge in the airport’s Transborder terminal.<\/p>\n

\"Airport
The Aspire WestJet Garden lounge is located within the Transborder terminal at Calgary airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Located in an open area below the terminal’s 40-foot (12-metre) ceilings and expansive skylights, M\u00e9nard Dworkind (MRDK<\/a>) had to find innovative ways to create a sense of intimacy in the space.<\/p>\n

“The project began with the simple yet poetic idea of walking from the main lounge into the garden,” said the studio.<\/p>\n

\"Oxblood-coloured
Tall planters surround the space, allowing electrical cabling to be hidden within<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another challenge was the inability to core into the concrete floor, and therefore run electrical cables to the seating areas.<\/p>\n

To address both issues, the team designed a series of raised planters that define the lounge space and conceal the cabling and plugs.<\/p>\n

\"Series
Living room-style setups include two armchairs and a sofa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“These planters not only bring lush greenery and texture into the space, but also define circulation paths and frame the lounge’s many seating areas,” MRDK said.<\/p>\n

A new opening was carved into the original lounge wall to provide access to the extended area, which is wrapped by tall glass panels in certain places.<\/p>\n

\"A
A rhombus-shaped bar sits at the centre of the lounge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Guests arrive to find a row of residential-scaled seating zones, each with a two-seater couch and two lounge chairs between planters on three sides.<\/p>\n

A rhombus-shaped bar in the centre features high-top seating on both sides, and its upper shelves are topped with cascading plants.<\/p>\n

\"Steel
Steel tables cantilever from planters that wrap the perimeter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More seating configurations include booths with oxblood-red leather upholstery that match the table bases and the cushions of walnut dining chairs.<\/p>\n

Two-top steel tables that cantilever from lower planters feature built-in, back-to-back chairs with chocolate-toned seats and caramel-hued backs.<\/p>\n

\"Line
The colour scheme plays off the natural elements featured throughout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All of the materials and colours were chosen to echo the natural elements throughout the space, while lighting is soft and layered to enhance the “calming, garden-like ambience”.<\/p>\n

The planting is highly visible from other parts of the terminal<\/p>\n