How can one design an international airport's VIP Centre to adhere to the highest standards of customer comfort and strict modern security requirements while also showcasing Latvia&rsquo;s image through interior design and providing insight into our country&rsquo;s cultural and historical heritage?

This seemingly impossible mission has been accomplished at service and sensory level at RIX Riga Airport's VIP Centre. The team is distinguished by its relentless pursuit of excellence and continuous innovation. Head of Customer Services, Evita Zaremba has witnessed the Airport's transformation from a Soviet &ldquo;deputatskij zal&rdquo; (&ldquo;MPs' hall&rdquo;) in 1996 into one of the most stylish airport VIP centres in Europe. To a certain extent, she is also jointly responsible for the interior design, as her insights into customers' wishes and needs are invaluable in the ongoing enhancement of the VIP Centre's premises.

The overall atmosphere in Riga Airport's 2000 m2 VIP Centre could be described as a fusion of comfort, care and security, while its understated elegance allows customers to enjoy the time they spend here to the full. Latvian identity and unique design elements subtly reveal themselves like pleasant surprises throughout the journey.
The premises, which consist of six individual customer lounges, five waiting rooms, a conference room, a security check and border guard post, as well as rest areas for pilots and employees, are all unified by a cohesive and distinctive stylistic atmosphere. Every aspect of the design reflects the principles behind creating the VIP Centre, emphasizing the use of sustainable materials &ndash; especially highlighting the natural beauty of wood. A standout feature is the innovative lighting fixtures, which create such a natural ambiance that you forget you are in a windowless building. Everything is designed to foster comfort, creating a relaxing atmosphere, while certain rooms also offer a more business-like and creative ambiance. A breath of fresh air comes from the garden, offering a delightful place to relax during the summer months.

Reflecting on the work done, Head of Customer Services Evita Zaremba notes that the VIP Centre has become a witness to the evolving history of the renewed Latvian State:
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&ldquo;The old section was rebuilt in 2006 in preparation for the hosting of the NATO summit in Riga. The White Room, in turn, has been the setting for meetings between the State President and influential figures, while the conference room, used for press conferences, has welcomed numerous local and international celebrities visiting Latvia. The second major phase of the VIP Centre's expansion occurred in 2013, in preparation for Latvia's EU presidency. Since 2017, renovations to the customer lounges have been carried out annually. Currently, work is underway in the last of the five lounges, the Romeo Room.&rdquo;
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Since it was first renovated in 1996, the VIP Centre's architectonic solutions and interior design have been entrusted to the creative team at Arhis Arhitekti led by one of the most outstanding Latvian architects Andris Kronbergs.
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&ldquo;In transforming Riga Airport's VIP Centre for the first time, it was crucial for us to emphasize elements of our national identity through our choice of materials, which is why we focused on wood. We also sought to integrate cultural signs, symbols, and ornaments into the design,&rdquo; says Andris Kronbergs. &ldquo;At the same time, it was important to present these elements subtly, in a minimalist style, integrating furniture from world-famous brands as well as original designs.&nbsp;
For example, in the White Room, you will find a lamp by the renowned designer Ingo Maurer &ndash; a unique piece whose value has only increased over time. The room also features artworks by Madara Gulbis, which capture quintessential Latvian symbols &ndash; the sunset over the sea and the hayfield. Lighting fixtures by the Latvian brand Mammalampa are installed in several rooms. In renovating the VIP Centre, it is essential to resist the allure of modern technologies and instead, by heeding the advice of VIP employees, focus on enhancing the qualities that make the Riga Airport VIP Centre unique. In my opinion, hosting an exhibition of works by our artists is the right approach to defining our image, as Latvian artists truly showcase our country in a memorable and impactful way.&rdquo;
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The renovation of the final room, the Romeo Room, will be completed soon, allowing VIP Centre customers to fully experience the benefits, comfort, and unique sensations offered by each space. &ldquo;Since the VIP Centre provides aviation-related services, it was only logical to choose names connected to an aviation theme &ndash; the aviation alphabet: Juliet, November, Oscar, Tango and Romeo,&rdquo; says Evita Zaremba. And to a significant extent, the name influences the nature of the interior design. Thus, Juliet features light tones, while Romeo is characterized by darker hues. In contrast, Tango boasts the brightest tones, whereas the November Room is designed with the most business-like colours.
The interior of each room is designed with a personal touch, where details serve not only functional purposes but also carry aesthetic and cultural-historical significance. In the construction or renovation process, well-known brands are certainly prominent, but their selection is guided not just by trends or functionality, but also with a focus on sustainability. Peering into the Juliet Room, its bright and light atmosphere is welcoming, largely thanks to its iconic Vitra (a lounge chair designed by Charles &amp; Ray Eames (1956)) chairs and Ieva Iltnere's works of art. In turn, the business-oriented November Room is adorned with the works by Jenny Okun and features Knoll furniture, including the AvioSofa sofas, aptly named for this setting. It also includes highly comfortable Pilot Chairs and Take a Line for a Walk chairs by Moroso.
Welcoming us to the Oskar Room, Evita Zaremba recalls her initial confusion with the interior designers' proposal to use walnut panelling with rounded room corners. However, the result is a visually expansive space, and with the integration of additional ventilation equipment, it is perfectly suited for enjoying cigars. By the way, the lighting chosen for this room is aptly named Oskar. Moving on, the Tango Room the most attractive and the brightest of all in terms of its colour scheme. It is a space with multiple sections, ideal for families or groups of varying ages, where each person can choose how best to spend their time. The Tango Room's theme is reflected in its interior details, including a lighting fixture by Davide Groppi integrated into a playful wall design, a visual row of photographic slides, and "Argentinian Tango," an original work by Christopher Pillitz. This artwork invites pleasurable relaxation and carries customers into the world of tango.

The audio-visual technologies, so familiar to people today, are cleverly concealed within objects that are aesthetically in harmony with the interior design. Meanwhile, the design items arranged here, which could certainly be considered art objects, are visually pleasing and appealing. It is worth adding that the VIP Centre's selection of furniture features prominent brands such as Vitra, Knoll, Linteloo, Living Divani, Cassina, and Moroso.
On the subject of airport VIP Centre interior design trends, Evita Zaremba, who has attended forums specifically devoted to this topic, shares the following insights:
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&ldquo;While some airports aim to impress with luxury or cutting-edge technology, this is not our approach. In other places where experience shows that people spend longer periods of time, greater attention is given to creating a comfortable atmosphere. However, what we have in common is that, alongside functionality and security, each airport's VIP Centre aims to highlight attributes unique to its country and location, striving to showcase a "jewel in the crown" of its overall image. At our VIP Centre, these are regular exhibitions of paintings by Latvian artists, which have proven to be popular with our customers. Works by Ieva Iltnere, Elita Patmalniece, Sandra Krastiņa, Vija Zariņa, Kristaps Zariņ&scaron;, Ivars Heinrihsons, Kristīne Luize Avotiņa, Ritums Ivanovs, Aleksejs Naumovs, Ilmārs Naglis, Laima Bik&scaron;e, Juris Dimiters, Edvards Grūbe and many other Latvian artists have been exhibited here.
A special highlight in the VIP Centre's interior is provided by a Steinway &amp; Sons grand piano, whose sound often delights visitors.&rdquo;
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RIX Riga Airport VIP Centre – the special mission of interior design

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