‘The Tree’ is designed by Whangarei company Fabric Structure Systems. The Tree’s foliage part is made of a rigid fabric screen on to which 24 internal projectors will beam changing images. The images include patterns of pohutukawa foliage and night sky scenes. At the bottom of the installation a soundscape of birds and crickets will be featured. The objective behind the scheme is to create a more engaging experience for travelers. It is expected to be finished in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC).
The old duty-free area at the airport will be demolished to make way for a new airside passenger concourse. This area will feature lounge seating with shops around the perimeter and views of the tarmac.
Work on the new passenger lounge follows the opening of a new duty-free shopping hall on the other side of the security processing queues. A revamp of the public hall and processing areas is already complete.
Duty free operators DFS and JR/Duty Free offer a host of new features at their airport stores, which includes tasting bars and a makeover counter. JR will open a luxury watch boutique soon, featuring a live technology area where passengers can trial laptops and play computer games.
The redevelopment project at the airport is slated for December 2010 completion. The airport construction on the airport grounds will be completed by June 2011.
Auckland International Airport planned the revamp in association with RWC’s First Impressions group, and the Ministry of Economic Development-run New Zealand 2011, which is organising the six-week RWC festival.
