GLOBAL EXCHANGE - AUCKLAND AIRPORT

THE BRAND: GLOBAL EXCHANGE

THE PRODUCT:

• CLIPSO – GRAND-FORMAT FABRIC TENSION CEILING & WALL SYSTEMS

TYPE: ceiling mounted / retrofitted

INDUSTRY: travel & tourism

APPLICATION: aesthetic treatment

GRAPHICS: illuminated white

SIZES: various sizes, shapes & forms manufactured to specification on order

LOCATION: Auckland

ARCHITECT: Jasmax

INSTALLATION: Dimension Shopfitters

OVERVIEW:

Within the context of Auckland Airport’s Global Exchange environment, the design challenge extended beyond brand presence to the orchestration of space within a highly transient, high-traffic setting. Working alongside the Jasmax team, the brief required a solution that could deliver both visual cut-through and operational discipline — creating a moment of clarity within an otherwise complex and fast-moving concourse.

Central to the architectural response was a bespoke illuminated ceiling form, seamlessly integrated into the existing roof overhang. Rather than reading as an applied feature, the element was conceived as part of the base building language — a controlled insertion that aligns with the architectural datum while subtly differentiating the Global Exchange footprint.

The system was engineered around the CLIPSO Grand Format Stretched Fabric System, selected for its ability to deliver a continuous, seam-free illuminated plane within tight spatial tolerances. In an airport environment — where ceiling zones are often congested with services — this required a high level of coordination across disciplines.

Key functional integrations were resolved as part of the design:

• Fire protection: sprinkler penetrations were carefully detailed through the membrane to maintain compliance while preserving the visual integrity of the illuminated surface.
• Services access: given the location coincided with critical roof access zones, a concealed access hatch was integrated behind the CLIPSO membrane — maintaining full serviceability without introducing visual disruption.
• Lighting control: integration with the base building DALI system allowed for calibrated light levels and colour temperature, ensuring consistency with the wider terminal lighting strategy while enabling subtle differentiation of the tenancy. 

In a constrained footprint, the challenge was not scale but precision. Airport environments demand immediate legibility — passengers are moving, dwell time is limited, and visual noise is high. The ceiling element therefore performs as both beacon and boundary: drawing attention from distance while defining a clear spatial zone at close range.

Materially, the CLIPSO membrane diffuses light evenly across the plane, eliminating hotspots and mitigating shadowing across highly reflective surfaces. This creates a calm, uniform visual field that contrasts with the surrounding environment, allowing the brand presence to register without reliance on excessive graphic intervention.

From a delivery perspective, the system was resolved as a coordinated kit of parts. Components were engineered for accuracy, repeatability, and efficient on-site integration — critical within a live airport construction programme where access windows are limited and disruption must be minimised. Installation methodology, sequencing, and tolerance management were all considered upfront to ensure alignment with programme constraints.

Long-term performance was equally embedded in the design approach. Maintenance access, cleanability, and durability were integrated from the outset, ensuring the system remains serviceable within an operational environment where shutdown is not an option.

The completed installation demonstrates how illuminated ceiling systems can operate as more than lighting devices. Within the airport context, they become precise architectural interventions — balancing compliance, service integration, and experiential clarity — while supporting both the functional requirements of the tenancy and the broader spatial narrative of the terminal.