Zebra, a leading international design and architecture consultancy, specialising in people-focused design experiences, has designed a transformative new lounge at Copenhagen Airport.

Commissioned by Aspire Executive Lounge (Aspire) and launched in December 2025, the lounge reimagines the passenger experience through a concept deeply rooted in Copenhagen’s architectural and cultural identity.

Inspired by the city’s historic nickname “The City of Spires”, the design integrates references to medieval and Renaissance silhouettes, like the iconic copper-clad spires found across the skyline, and the modern Scandinavian ethos, coupled with an international perspective that defines the Danish capital. 

The lounge features two tiers of access. The Aspire Executive Lounge provides guests with all the amenities they need for a relaxing journey, including complimentary food and drinks and flexible seating for work or relaxation. Suite by Aspire, meanwhile, provides an enhanced level of hospitality designed for those seeking a more luxury experience. 

At the heart of the lounge is a striking bar, reminiscent of a high-end hotel, which serves as a central point surrounded by thoughtfully arranged seating areas. Guests can select from Gubi chairs with integrated charging points, communal tables, or private booths. Each space is crafted to support dining, working, or unwinding in peace, offering a variety of options to support different guest travel modes during transit. Discreet curtains provide added privacy, allowing guests to tailor environment to their needs. 

Creating an elegant and serene sanctuary for guests, Zebra embodied the minimalistic sophistication of Scandinavian design, infused with a dark and rich colour palette. Both areas offer a refined yet calming atmosphere, to promote relaxation with the combination of thoughtful design and luxurious amenities. This was achieved through a mix of comfortable seating, natural woods, plush fabrics, and ambient lighting, creating a tranquil atmosphere for guests. 

The palette combines rich neutrals with complementary brighter tones, balancing dark elegance with light accents to create a warming ambience. The existing skylights were also incorporated into the design, injecting the space with natural light and enhancing its open, airy feel. In keeping with its commitment to sustainability and natural materials, Zebra repurposed the high-quality wooden flooring with a fresh stain that both preserves its character and aligns with both Aspire and the Copenhagen Airport’s design ethos.

Mia Tsujimura, Associate Director at Zebra, commented “Designing the Aspire Lounge in Copenhagen was an opportunity to craft a spatial narrative that resonates with both place and purpose. We drew from the city’s architectural language; its skyline, textures, and tonal richness, to create a sanctuary that feels distinctly local yet globally relevant.

“Every detail was considered to create a calm sense of place for the modern traveller.”

The distinctive shape of the city’s spires has subtly informed design elements throughout the space, such as inspiring angular forms in shelving, lighting, and signage. This architectural motif echoes the ‘A’ in the Aspire branding, tying together the brand identity with the local character of the new lounge concept.

Beyond form, Zebra has also drawn from the copper cladding of the spires, incorporating this rich material to add texture, depth, and visual intrigue to the project.

Beyond aesthetics, the design prioritises guest comfort and efficient navigation. Updated wayfinding, elegant signage, and integrated lighting guides guests naturally through the lounge zones. Every detail, from ceiling features to table legs, has been meticulously considered to align with the concept and improve the flow of the guest journey.

With Copenhagen being the home to top design institutions and innovative creators, it was fundamental that Zebra took this into consideration when dressing the space. All artwork displayed in the lounge has been carefully curated, with prints made to order in-house in Denmark through collaborations with Danish artists. This ensures authenticity while supporting local creative talent. Vases and accessories have been sourced from the iconic Danish department store, Magasins Du Nord, which enhances the Scandinavian aesthetic and grounds the space with a strong sense of place and cultural identity.

David Collyer, Global Senior Vice President, Aspire Executive Lounges, commented “As a leading provider of airport hospitality, we design lounges that not only meet but exceed the expectations of our guests. Our new lounge at Copenhagen Airport reflects our commitment to well-designed spaces that deliver comfort, relaxation and a seamless experience for our guests, while embodying a sense of place and truly celebrating Danish culture.”

“Through our long-standing partnership with Aspire, we’ve created a true sense of place that elevates the travel experience through human-centred design. This strategic collaboration has enabled us collectively to deliver a truly unique, memorable guest experience that combines Scandinavian minimalism with the rich architectural heritage of Copenhagen. The result is a project that demonstrates how thoughtful design can support our clients’ brand ambitions. Together with Aspire, we have delivered an exceptional guest destination that stands as a testament to the commitment and dedication of the entire team.” Commented, Lee Roberts, Vice President & Principal, Zebra

The lounge now welcomes passengers from around the world, offering a refined retreat within one of Scandinavia’s most important transport hubs.

About Zebra:

From its UK/London origins, Zebra has become a global business employing 250+ talented individuals across 8 offices globally working out of London, New York, Phoenix, Toronto, Hong Kong, UAE, Riyadh and Sydney being the latest office to open.  

Across the group Zebra’s service offer spans the full design and architectural spectrum; from brand strategy and brand design, conceptual interior design through to design implementation of existing concepts, to being able to act as Architects of Record in all 50 US States. 

Zebra is expert in working with brands globally, often taking brands out of their domestic markets, with subtle adaptations and modifications making them fit for purpose in a local environment. Zebra thinks Global but focuses on the local, in a unique and special way, providing design, architectural and design management services to facilitate the expansion of brands in circa 90 Countries worldwide.

About Aspire Executive Lounges

Aspire Executive Lounges (Aspire) is one of the world’s leading airport hospitality brands. With over 35 years airport hospitality experience, our vision is to translate the luxurious hotel experience into an exceptional lounge and lifestyle experience.

Aspire welcomes around six million guests annually. The lounge portfolio includes not only the flagship Aspire Executive Lounges but also partnerships with major airline lounges, alliance lounges, bank and credit card lounges, with a confirmed 2025 network of 100 lounges globally.  

Aspire is the hospitality brand of Swissport International AG, a leading provider of aviation services including airport ground services and air cargo handling. 

All images credited to Zebra/Aspire