Mihi’s Place – Airport Fitout

Our client wanted to transform an Airport Express Coffee Bar into a souvenir and gift shop. The budget was tight – just $30k and the timeline was only 4 weeks from design to completion.

Mihi runs a Rongoā Māori Healing Clinic and sells handmade natural beauty products online and through resellers. When she had the chance to lease the coffee bar space at the airport, she aimed to create a retail outlet for her products and local souvenirs.

To meet this challenge, our design team developed a concept using timber veneer and black acrylic. The counter features a striking vector illustration of Mihi, highlighting her Moko Kauae tattoo. We matched the bulkhead sign’s script font to her product packaging to unify the branding.

First, we covered the original back wall tiles with timber slat veneer panels. Then, we built a bulkhead to hide new security screen doors. We repurposed offcuts from the bulkhead as side panels to frame the entrance. Next, we installed a laser-cut black acrylic bulkhead sign, with vinyl highlights, seamlessly using VHB tape. A local joiner cut down the existing counter to open up the shopping area.

Additionally, we added a black vinyl graphic to the front counter for extra style. Plus, we installed a digital screen to loop promotional videos from Mihi’s website.

Despite the tight budget and timeline, we delivered the full retail fitout on time and on budget. Most of the work came from our in-house team. Overall, this project marked a strong start for us in retail fitouts and gave Mihi a vibrant new retail space.