The Airport Luxury Arcade

Drawing inspiration from Melbourne’s iconic arcades, the airport’s luxury retail street reimagines heritage through a modern lens—where geometry, memory, and elegance converge.

A pixelated map of Melbourne unfurls beneath each step, grounding travellers in a subtle urban narrative, while above, a sweeping geometric canopy glows in warm gold—a tribute to the city’s gold rush origins. The ceiling’s faceted design dances with light, casting reflections that shimmer like the precious metal that once shaped Melbourne’s destiny.

Beneath this luminous vault, high-end boutiques unfold in a rhythmic procession, each framed by refined, contemporary detailing. Storefronts are designed for maximum visibility and clarity, ensuring each brand speaks boldly to its audience. Carefully placed signage and elegant displays allow the architecture to frame, not compete with, the retail experience.

This is not merely a shopping street—it is a curated journey through history and luxury, where every detail, from the floor beneath to the canopy above, echoes Melbourne’s spirit of refinement and discovery.

This project was completed at NH Architecture as part of a collaborative team. The project remains the intellectual property of NH Architecture and its client. w.a.o studio contributions included Concept design, concept development, design documentation, client and consultant coordination.