Introducing The Aviator Lounge in Monaco

Intimacy and fluidity are fundamental themes running through the design. The entire space is open with no enclosing barriers and yet each area feels intimate. “In air, you don’t have obstacles, so we wanted to build a space that’s as fluid as possible,” Mosca says. 

The focal point is the meeting space, known as “The Nest.” “We decided that this meeting space would be the central point of the project,” Mosca says. “We wanted to create something that was open and yet private, so we came up with the idea of a bird’s nest, which gives you the feeling of protection.” 

A table and a set of modern chairs are cocooned by a travertine half-wall that rises seamlessly from the floor, meeting halfway with wood panels, or ‘feathers,’ descending from the ceiling, without touching. The wood panels are mounted onto rails so that they can be moved, allowing the space to be more open or closed. Features such as television screens can also be covered or uncovered by feathers, depending on guests’ requirements.

In a gallery surrounding The Nest, visitors can explore a “mini museum of Bombardier” featuring graphics and artifacts that tell the story of the company and its innovations, alongside airplane photography by esteemed photographer Guillaume Plisson.

Guided by the Lounge’s location, Mosca took inspiration from the ocean as well as the sky. Three elements in particular are the building blocks of the sensory experience he created. The travertine stone used on the flooring and interior walls is the color of sand and cool to the touch, providing freshness on a warm day in Monaco. Wood panelling, evocative of a yacht interior, is used throughout, although rather than teak, Mosca has opted for a more sustainably sourced iroko. The wood elements represent stability and intimacy. And finally, the alcantara fabric, cushioned in some places, adds warmth and softness. Meanwhile, the interior walls of the Aviator Lounge are curved like waves, creating a sense of fluidity of this contemporary, pure space.

Mosca also utilized materials to deepen the sense of intimacy: “A plane is a big, heavy machine, but when it flies, it looks light like a paper plane. We wanted to use stone, a material that is known for its weight, and treat it like paper. What you see is just the skin with three centimeters of travertine inside.”

The Lounge strikes the balance between modernity and warmth. “Bombardier is a family, so we wanted to capture the feeling of being invited into a home, and we achieved this,” Mosca says. “It’s a relaxing space that’s comfortable but at the same time, it’s very contemporary.”

“There is a reason why we call this space a Lounge; in fact, it is anything but a sales office,” adds Bornand. “The Lounge was designed as a space for exchanges and discussions. Authentic, family-like relationships are at the very core of everything we do at Bombardier, so having a space where we can take the time to meet the Bombardier community here is extremely important and a key reason why we wanted to open this space.”

The opening comes at a pivotal time in Bombardier’s history as the company unveils its new brand identity. It reflects a visionary shift in thinking from product to experience and lifestyle, and the Lounge is perfectly positioned in Monaco to connect with one of the company’s prime markets in Europe. If ever there was a sign of times to come, this is surely it.