The choreography of calm: a glimpse into NAIA Terminal 3’s First Meridian Lounge

Then they can settle in for a delicious meal at the Piano Lounge, the principal dining area or find accommodation at the Grid Lounge, the wine cellar, the bakery or the private dining rooms. “We choreographed the space so that when you enter, it feels grand and open,” said Calma. “You get to decide where you want to go, depending on how long you are waiting before your flight.”

That sense of grandeur owes much to the airport terminal’s original scale and structure. Working within its existing architectural bones, Calma’s team introduced three-dimensional arches, clad the columns and raised the vaulted ceilings, ensuring the lounge always feels expansive and airy. This architectural manoeuvre allows the concourse to accommodate a large number of guests with ease.

An essential element of the design process was selecting the right colours. Far from being a decorative afterthought, the chosen hues were choreographed to create a sense of ease for the mind, body and spirit of any traveller. Calma and his team settled on the whimsical tones of calamansi and atis green to intrigue guests upon arrival, then ease them into warmer textures as they move from one vignette to the next.

With clay-toned terracotta columns, the First Meridian Lounge echoes the Philippines’ biodiversity and verdant provincial scenes. “Those colours lower cortisol levels and create a perceptual sense of expansion,” the designer enthused.

The lighting plan seamlessly complements the lounge’s colour scheme. Rather than even illumination, Calma wanted each light fixture to feel considered and to add visual depth to every corner. The soft, atmospheric lighting softens the architecture while heightening the contrast between materials such as wood and marble, leather and stone. This conversation between materials creates a sense of respite that contrasts with the rush beyond the lounge’s walls.

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When asked which elements were most memorable in the design of the NAIA Terminal 3 lounge, Calma immediately highlights the lounge’s bespoke art. At the entrance, travellers are drawn to a three-piece installation crafted from Narra wood, featuring the Philippines’ national tree at the heart of every gathering. Its branching forms and circular elements emphasise Filipinos’ deep-seated appreciation for nature and a joyous wonder at its growth.

Meanwhile, CNC-milled wood features finishes that shift between the bolder green colourways of the entrance. Calma mentioned that there was a playful detail hidden within the piece: a tarsier peeks out at the most perceptive guests. “As you see in most of my spaces, I really add bespoke art pieces to enhance the guest journey experience,” he said, before adding that “of course, it helps to create Instagram moments, too.”

The story continues along the corridor in a four-part installation titled Under the Shade, inspired by the anahaw leaf. Here, fragmented foliage gradually converges to create a guided meditation through the Philippines’ collective memory as it continues to evolve.

The piece transitions cleverly from wall to floor as guests reach the dining area, where the narrative shifts entirely. Here, the design draws on music rather than botany, with wooden louvres curving through the walls to form piano keys, and a bespoke ceramic piano-scroll detail built into the tables, creating an immersive sensory experience for guests.

Beyond the cohesion of the main lounge, the private meeting rooms feature pockets with a more relaxed design story. These geometric wallcoverings reinterpret the exterior arch motif, rendered in a two-dimensional wraparound effect that makes the compact room feel larger. At the same time, this extends the lounge’s architectural language in a new direction.

Among the NAIA Terminal 3 lounge’s unique inclusions are a playroom and an infant care room, alongside the library, wine cellar and golf simulator. For Calma, this breadth ensures that every stay is memorable–and guests are always eager to make their way back. “The First Meridian Lounge is really about having as wide a range of amenities for all of the flight guests as possible,” he shared. Balancing refinement and genuine accessibility demonstrates his considered approach as a designer. “We wanted the place to be warm and accommodating, just like the Filipino spirit,” he says.

The First Meridian Lounge in NAIA Terminal 3 marks the latest chapter in Calma’s long engagement with NAIA Terminal 3, following his work on the OFW Lounge and The Food Village. Looking ahead, he sets his sights on a new concept restaurant called Voyage, as well as a 6,000-square-metre duty-free development still to come. For Calma, projects of this size mean more than just design. “Infrastructure projects like this are a passion for us because they truly represent our country,” he said, “and it’s a privilege to highlight the beauty of our culture, heritage and craftsmanship.”

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