AirAsia Headquarters and Operations Center (AirAsia RedQ)

AirAsia Headquarters
and Operations Center
(AirAsia RedQ)

Mission Control for Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline

CLIENT

AirAsia Bhd

REGION

Sepang, Selangor

YEAR

Completed in 2016

GFA

23,700 m²

DISCIPLINES

Architecture • Interiors • Landscape • Planning

AirAsia’s RedQ at KLIA Terminal 2 unites the airline’s operational and administrative functions into a bold, energy-efficient workplace that embodies the brand’s spirit of innovation and energy. More than just an office, the 6-storey campus fosters connectivity, collaboration, and well-being—reflecting the brand’s “one big happy family” ethos while overcoming stringent site constraints and airport regulations through creative design strategies.

ARCHITECTURE

Completed in 2016, AirAsia RedQ was conceived as a unifying campus for all operational and administrative functions, incorporating office and recreational spaces for both staff and visitors. Located on a 1.94-hectare site within the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) precinct, the design addressed a series of complex site restrictions: limited access due to an elevated roadway, a maximum allowable building height of 27 meters due to control tower visibility, and an east-west orientation that intensified solar exposure and challenged thermal comfort.

The building’s form and massing become key drivers for energy performance. Naturally lit atria, which the building’s open plan is organized around, form visual and physical connections across levels, enhanced by interconnecting bridges. This feature of the design reflects AirAsia’s culture of openness and collaboration. In addition, the facade strategies are carefully considered to optimize natural ventilation, minimize solar exposure, and maximize operational efficiency. Internally, vertical green walls further improve indoor air quality and bring warmth to the expansive workspace.

INTERIORS

The interior design takes the center for a contemporary, energy-efficient environment. The design merges industrial aesthetics with striking color schemes and graphic brand motifs to promote a sense of energy, inclusivity, and creativity. The rectangular building is structured around light-filled atriums that impart an invisible order to the open floorplans, outfitted with modern ergonomic furniture, flexible seating zones, and layered lighting—all designed to support comfort and productivity.

The interiors foster a strong “bump factor,” encouraging casual encounters and collaboration without sacrificing quiet, contemplative spaces. This design approach supports a new paradigm of workplace culture—one that prioritizes employee wellbeing, interaction, and brand immersion. RedQ successfully transforms a regulated airport-adjacent site into a dynamic, human-centric workspace that brings AirAsia’s culture and community to life.

LANDSCAPE

The development for landscape design unfolds in two phases. The first phase focuses on establishing the AirAsia All Stars operation and management headquarters—a vibrant workspace designed to inspire collaboration and productivity. Landscape interventions at this stage support the architectural form while enhancing circulation, shading, and visual comfort for daily operations.

The second phase elevates the leisure component of the development, with a strong emphasis on creating a rooftop garden that serves as a tranquil escape for employees. This elevated green space introduces lush plantings, seating nodes and shaded areas, transforming the rooftop into a multifunctional space for relaxation, informal meetings, and events. Together, both phases demonstrate  a balanced integration of functionality, aesthetics, and well-being, making AirAsia House not just a workplace, but a green hub of innovation and community.

PLANNING

Strategic planning was integral to navigating the approval process for this landmark headquarters. Part of the consultancy was to provide end-to-end planning strategy from project inception, ensuring the 1.94-hectare project complied with all regulatory requirements under the Sepang Municipal Council and relevant aviation authority restrictions.

The strategy directly addressed stringent site constraints, including the building height limitation and limited vehicular access. The planning submission highlighted the building’s orientation, innovative design strategies, and sustainable credentials to ensure alignment with local development control plans and environmental policies.