Let’s be honest: when travelling, nobody is looking forward to the time at the gate, waiting to board. Airports also rarely tell a story unique to the place they’re at, often being purely pragmatic, frequently pretty soulless spaces, sometimes not even offering a decent place to sit for everyone. <\/p>\n
We were expecting just that for a 4-hour layover in Paris on a trip from South America to Germany, and even considered rushing into Paris or paying for a lounge. A delay and Charles de Gaulle’s vast and confusing layout had us head to the gate at Terminal 2G straight away, and we were pleasantly surprised with possibly one of the most thoughtfully designed airport spaces we’ve ever encountered. <\/p>\n
Charles de Gaulle itself is a bit of a user experience nightmare: signage isn’t exactly clear, and you sometimes have to take long bus rides from one sub-terminal to the next. However, upon entering the \u2013 from the outside rather drab \u2013 Terminal 2G, you find yourself in a delightful ode to Parisian design history and flair.<\/p>\n
A grand entrance with terazzo floors. Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Frescos by Studio CHZON. Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n The escalator and stairs to the gates are the first sign of a waiting area that differs from the norm: custom floors, handrails, frescos and lamps lead the traveler upstairs into a space celebrating quintessentially French 20th century furniture and decorative arts.<\/p>\n Celebrating Parisian Monuments. Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n Spaces to recharge. Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n The 1,300 sqm area designed by studio CHZON <\/a>combines solutions for every traveler’s most urgent functional needs (sitting, lounging or lying down comfortably, charging your devices) with the emotional benefits of feeling like you’re still in Paris, enjoying carefully designed spaces inspired by the 1960s and 1970s, and thus extending your experience of place up until you board your flight.<\/p>\n Celebrating Parisian Monuments. Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n The centerpiece of the space is a monumental white sculpture by Jean-Marie and Marthe Simonnet<\/a> made of glass-resin composites, resembling a bench under trees. An arch structure of the same material is a nod to the monuments of Paris, and a fountain surrounded by the unmistakable green metal chairs of the Jardin du Luxembourg completes the landmarks in the waiting area.<\/p>\n Celebrating Parisian Monuments. Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Celebrating Parisian Monuments. Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Surrounding these, lingerers can choose from various arrangements of sofas and chairs, covered in leather or bespoke textile featuring an airplane pattern, and reclining seats \u2013 designed by the Italian architect and furniture designer Osvaldo Borsani.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Seating by Osvaldo Borsani. Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Seating by Osvaldo Borsani. Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Seating by Osvaldo Borsani. Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Solid wood tables add an element of play with inlay work that creates boards for chess, checkers, and other popular games to pass the waiting time.<\/p>\n Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Custom-designed lamps and recycling bins made from airplane trolleys complete this experience, which unexpectedly turns often dead space and time into something unique, interesting and entertaining.<\/p>\n Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n Photo by Anki Delfmann<\/a> <\/em> <\/em><\/p>\nRecharging<\/h2>\n
Celebrating Paris<\/h2>\n
Waiting<\/h2>\n
Playing<\/h2>\n
See a video of the experience<\/h2>\n