Spanish firm Francesc Rifé Studio has chosen a minimal grey palette to decorate Colombian airline Avianca's lounges at Bogotá airport.

The expansive Avianca Lounges occupy 37,673 square feet (3,500 square metres) of El Dorado International Airport, creating rest and relaxation spaces for passengers on Colombia's national carrier.

Francesc Rifé Studio designed the interiors for the lounge, which is divided into three areas: Enjoy your meal, Stay connected, and Resting.

Corridors and service areas help to split up these functions, while bathrooms are located in the centre.

Greyscale tones guide the entire project, used for carpets and tile flooring, and wall treatments. Walnut wood and hints of rust, teal and navy break up the interiors and enliven the otherwise cool tones.

"A balanced contrast between textures and volumes evokes the essence of the Colombian airline, providing aesthetic order to produce a calming atmosphere," said Francesc Rifé Studio.

The space is populated by contemporary furnishings like upholstered chairs, side tables, and benches.

Seating includes Sam couches and Bud benches designed by Francesc Rifé Studio, and Norman chairs by Valencia-based Arnau Reyna Studio – all produced by furniture brand Carmenes.

In a room with burnt red chairs, ceiling-mounted lighting designs comprise round volumes atop tubular steel structures. Other elements are intended to reference local culture and craft.

"Paraments (wall hangings) are covered with cane braid arrow," said Francesc Rifé Studio. "It acts as a nod to the tradition and history of the Colombian people."

The firm's previous projects include culinary offices and a lab in Barcelona, based in a former textile factory.

Airline lounges around the world are designed to reflect the carrier's branding while catering to its passengers. Klein Dytham Architecture's Virgin Clubhouse in Tokyo's Narita Airport by Klein Dytham Architecture, and Marc Newson's Qantas First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne provide other examples.

Photography is by David Zarzoso.

Project credits:

Design team: Sandra de Nutte, Alberto Olmos, Sergio Alfonso, Bruno Benedito, Carlos Fernández Saracibar, Patricia Guridi, Carlos Olmos, Sònia Pellicer, Paola Noguera
Engineering: BQ
Construction: JACB
Manufacturers: Capdell, Hunter Douglas US, Vibia International, Cármenes, Corev, Accesorios y Acabados, JMM, Mepal