The future of airport furniture and how it can help to shape the passenger experience and prevent the spread of COVID-19

Nice Airport. Credit: Green Furniture Concept

What role can airport furniture play in the battle against the spread of COVID-19?

Adele Kamel (AK):  Designing a public space requires a lot more than just what meets the eye—layout, material, flow, seating capacity, acoustics and lighting all come into play. Pre-COVID-19, we worked a lot with furniture hygiene and maintenance and passenger hygiene and satisfaction. Our furniture is made of natural wood that contributes to being a natural antiseptic. By using furniture that makes more efficient use of space, seamlessly flowing in and out of every angle of the terminal, you can keep families together, while allowing room for social distancing from the next traveller. COVID-19 will change how the world behaves, but this is not the first or last time that we will see changes in passenger behaviour. Modularity and reconfigurability are essential to keep up with the changes in how waiting areas are used.