airport design architecture thesis

The Evolution of Airport Design: Philosophy, Function and Form

Stewart, R. 2020. The Evolution of Airport Design: Philosophy, Function and Form. PhD thesis University of Westminster Architecture and Cities https://doi.org/10.34737/v4157

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/v4157/the-evolution-of-airport-design-philosophy-function-and-form

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"Multi-use" airport design : a new terminal for Malpensa International Airport, Milan, Italy

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Airports: Examples in Plan & Section

• Written by Fabian Dejtiar | Translated by Zoë Montano
• Published on August 23, 2021

Airports require architectural solutions that not only respond to the efficiency of their spaces and circulations - both operational and passenger - but also to their connection with other transport systems and terminals.

Take a look at 10 airports/terminals and their plans and section below.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport - Terminal 2 / SOM

Tom Bradley International Terminal / Fentress Architects

Pulkovo International Airport / Grimshaw Architects + Ramboll + Pascall+Watson

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Extension / WHLC Architecture

Madrid-Barajas Airport Terminal 4 / Estudio Lamela & Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

La Araucanía Airport / Iglesis Arquitectos

Fort McMurray International Airport / office of mcfarlane biggar architects + designers

Narita International Airport Terminal 3 / NIKKEN SEKKEI + Ryohin Keikaku + PARTY

Zagreb Airport / Kincl + Neidhardt + Institut IGH

Nuevo Terminal Internacional T2 Aeropuerto Internacional Alfonso Bonilla Aragón / Espacio Colectivo Arquitectos SA + Cuna Arquitectura

Editor's note: This article was originally published on June 28, 2019.

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• 1. Thesis proposal abstract
• 3. Thesis proposal draft
• 4. Final thesis proposal
• 1 Construction, structures, materials, technologies, digital knowledge, fabrication, robotics
• 2 Geographies, landscapes, infrastructures
• 3 Living, cities, the countryside and the rural
• 4 Art, politics, curatorial, media
• 5 Ecologies, sustainability, conservation, recycling (re-use)

Airport as Inhabited Architecture

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'The Architecture of Airport Terminals: Gateway to a City'

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Puerto Prinsesa International Airport 2050

Puerto Prinsesa, the capital city of Palawan. Palawan is called the "last frontier" of the Philippines, it is a narrow archipelago made up of 1,700 islands. It is the last ecological frontier of the region for it is home to a vast and rich biodiversity. In the year 2050, Palawan will be needing an advanced and innovative airport to serve its islands and sustain its biodiversity - the airport of its future. Biomimicry has inspired architects and planners that seeks sustainable solutions to challenges by emulating natures time-tested patterns, strategies, and mechanisms. The butterfly - its anatomy, functions, and very existence, became the inspiration and main source of concepts for the futuristic airport. A typologically challenging and innovative design of airport architecture. Airport design and planning has remained unchanged for decades. The airport is divided into 3 main components, the outer structure is the terminal, followed by a forest called the Biodome, and lastly the Tower of the airport. The main feature of the airport is the Biodome, The Biodome is a forest of flora and fauna where people can enjoy, relax, and learn the rich biodiversity of Palawan. The stages in a butterflys life cycle is translated to the design, planning and zoning of the airport. The airport terminal boasts its massive columns circling the airport. The columns mimic the mechanism and anatomy of caterpillars, the resiliency and capability of its anatomy. The landscape design and architecture of the Biodome designed in a radial manner, the location of plants and trees vary depending on how their species are vulnerable in their environments. The tree and plant species which are abundant and most common in the area lines the outer ring of the Biodome, and the vulnerable species lines the smaller inner rings of the Biodome: a very literal representation of the different states and vulnerability of tree and plants species in the area. The Biodome is enclosed by a kinetic dilating envelope which is inspired by the mechanism of the butterfly wings and resilience of its cocoon. The mechanism of how the wings of the butterfly work is translated to a kinetic dilating facade made to respond to environmental conditions within its environment, it appears to be breathing and dilating, similar on how a butterfly expands its wings and its use. The kinetic envelope responds in direct reaction to the sun’s position, allowing indirect sunlight to enter a structure while blocking the strongest rays to prevent glare and heat gain, and allows air to pass through. The aviation Tower is located in the center of the airport, rising above the skyline. The Tower is living structure, with plants crawling up to the top. The archipelago of Palawan is projected to be an advanced and progressive area in the region. The airport design and architecture aims to protect and be a symbol of the region and its rich biodiversity; the biodiversity that shall be kept unchanged and nurtured. The Puerto Prinsesa International Airport, the First Living airport in the Last Frontier.

Walkthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViZ3-UwK2Os https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgfquiGWxqk The scope of this study will be the futuristic design and planning of the Puerto Princesa International Airport. Specifically, will focus on the biomimetic design and approaches that challenges airport planning and design. The project will focus on architectural design strategies and solutions inspired by the butterfly; moreover, the region of Palawan is rich in butterfly species. The limit of this study will be in-depth engineering solutions, structural, electrical, plumbing, and sanitary of the airport; moreover, airport logistics and other technical aspects in airport design and planning.

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DYNAMIC STRUCTURE FOR AIRPORT-study on structural features of Kempegowda International airport (KIA), Bangalore

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Kinetic Architecture is a branch of architecture that involves the use of mobile or dynamic components in a building or structure, such as movable roofs, walls, and façades. The use of kinetic architecture is highly popular in countries with changing climates, where buildings need to adapt to various weather patterns throughout the year. India is a country with a tropical climate, which makes it an ideal location for the exploration of kinetic architecture. Kinetic façades offer both aesthetic and functional appeal in modern architecture. This paper will explore the working mechanism of kinetic façades, the technology behind the façade's movement, and the various applications of the kinetic facade in modern architectural design. Some case studies has also been included for better understanding of the knetic mechanism. This research paper explores the use of kinetic architecture in India's tropical climate, analyzing case studies of buildings that have incorporated dynamic components into their designs to create more sustainable, energy-efficient, and comfortable spaces.

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Airport complexes are considered, where a part of long span premises is covered by awning covers. In Ukraine, it is proposed use awning covers for buildings and structures that are to become composition components in developing the airport building.

Tall buildings are slender versatile structures and want to be investigated to establish the importance of wind elicited oscillations or excitation on and across the direction of wind. Wind could be a development of nice complexness owing to the various flow things arising from the interaction of wind with structures. Wind consists of a large number of eddies of varied sizes and movement characteristics carried on in an exceedingly. general stream of air moving relative to the earth’s surface. This research paper discusses the analysis adopted for the evaluation of tall building under effect of Wind force and examines 30-storied building. This is analyzed under an effect of wind using ETABS. Tall building of height 99m has been analyzed for Chikkamagaluru region. Indian standard code of practice IS-875 (Part 3: 1987) is used for analysis. Here, the lateral story displacements, story shears and story drifts are analyzed for the same wind speeds in different direction for the same structure of dimension (15m X 25m).

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The design process of structural planning and design requires not only imagination and conceptual thinking but also sound knowledge of science of structural engineering besides the knowledge of practical aspects, such as recent design codes, bye laws, backed up by ample experience, intuition and judgment. In the present study 2cellars+G+14 building at Yen dada, Visakhapatnam, India is considered for the study. The study involves the construction of substructure of building, which includes site selection, soil test, leveling, earth work, foundation, retaining wall, columns, beams & slab .In order to design them, it is important to first obtain the plan of the foundation& retaining wall that is, positioning of the particular type of foundation, columns, beams etc. Thereby depending on the suitability; plan layout of beams and the position of columns are fixed. The reinforcement provided is HYSD BARS Fe500 as per IS: 1786-1985. Safe bearing capacity of soil is calculated. Retaining wall is constructed to retain the excavated soil. Footings are designed based on the safe bearing capacity of soil. Isolated, combined footings & raft foundation are constructed in the site.

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10 Inspirational Airport designs around the world

Aviation is one of the most “global” industries that connect people from different cultures and businesses across continents. The evolution of airport architecture has been significantly modernized over the decades. The industry has continued to expand making travel simpler, faster, and luxurious to meet the demand for air travel. Today, airport designs have taken us to the next age of aviation where some designs are breaking world records including the world’s biggest terminal in Istanbul to the largest indoor waterfall at Changi airport. More than 100 airports serving at least 10millon passengers each year is a huge challenge put forth architects to design a space which is more secure and functional transporting such an influx of crowd overseas.

Following are the 10 inspirational airport designs operating around the world, that has the architecture to new heights.

1. Beijing Daxing International Airport – Zaha Hadid Architects

Beijing Daxing is not only an airport in itself but it also integrates into the country’s major transport hub. The airport is estimated to annually accommodate 100 million passengers and 4 million tons of cargo by 2025. Inspired by the traditional Chinese Architecture, six flowing forms of the structure congregate at the central courtyard whilst the heart of the terminal is complemented by a network of linear skylights, which directs all passengers through an intuitive navigation system. The idea of a compact airport design allows the passengers to travel short distances throughout without the need for an automated transport system. 

2. Jewel Changi Airport  – Safdie Architects

Often known for the best airport designs in the world, the Changi Airport at Singapore designed by the master architect Moshie Safdie is one of the largest transportation hubs in Southeast Asia. To accommodate the increasing traffic of air travel, terminal 3 (change airport) was constructed. What makes it more unique, is the combination of the two environments – a marketplace and a paradise garden creating a community-centric typology of heart and soul. The heart of the structure houses the world-s largest indoor waterfall ‘rain vortex” that cools the accompanied forest valley garden equipped with over 200 species of flora and fauna that has become a jewel in itself.

3. Denver International Airport – Fentress Architects

A truly revolutionary design for the city of Denver in the USA. The airport design has created a symbol for the city through its iconic architecture rather than just being a gateway. The tensile roof canopy represents the Majestic snow-capped rock mountains of the context which is admired by many. The roof material drastically reduces the use of artificial daylight capitalizing on the fact of 300 days of sunshine each year while reflecting 90% of solar radiation thus reducing the solar heat gain.

4. Madrid-Barajas Airport Terminal 4 – Estudio Lamela & Rogers  Stirk Harbour + Partners

Designed to functionally distribute the circulation into three linear modules, the terminal building serves different functions according to the passenger traffic as per the arrival and departures. The structural system of the airport is accompanied by light-filled canyons that provide natural illumination to the lower levels. This airport design contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing energy consumption and upkeep costs. The vertical movement of passengers is located between the canyons to indicate the sequence of actions that the passenger needs to carry out as per airport formalities. 

5. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport – Terminal 2 – SOM

The international airport located in Mumbai, India welcomes 6 million passengers every year and serves up to five times the number. With the growing volume of domestic and international traffic, the airport design responds to the complex web of passengers and planes overcoming the frequent delays that caused chaos in the overall functioning. Inspired by the traditional Indian Pavilions and the peacock feathers, the airport stands out among the contemporary to a more traditional outlook. Gracious drop-off zones are designed for large parties of well-wishers to accommodate the Indian way of welcoming the guests.  

6. Hamad International Airport Passenger Terminal Complex – HOK

Reflecting Qatar’s progressive growth, the airport design with its curving and dramatic roof canopy, recalls the impression of the ocean waves and sand dunes that projects a powerful image of the context thus paying an homage to the cultural heritage of the city. The unobstructed views enable passengers to easily find their destinations. A deliberate lack of ornamentation provides a clear vision for understanding spatial functions and circulation within the large complex.

7. Mactan Cebu International Airport T2 – Integrated Design Associates

MCIA is the second largest airport in the Philippines and to meet the demand of increasing traffic, the modular design of the airport can adapt to the future expansions of the structure. It conceptualized reflecting the resort-like feel but functioning as an airport terminal. The high pitched roof and eaves being at the lower level eliminate maximum heat gain and glare during the day. The uppermost structure is well braced to withstand the seismic effects and typhoon currents that frequently occur in the vicinity.

8. Kansai International Airport – Renzo Piano

Designed by an Italian architect Renzo Piano, built on a man-made island in the Bay of Osaka is regarded as the first ocean airport in the world. The longitudinal airport design stretching across 1.7kms and 42 boarding gates with a curved roof canopy just like an airfoil are designed to withstand Japan’s frequent earthquakes. With just 4 months of its opening, it survived the 6.9 Kobe earthquake with minimal damage. 

9. Queen Alia International Airport – Foster + Partners

Inspired by the Bedouin tents, the airport at Jordan, features the unique modular concrete domes forming the roof canopy that spans the entire terminal building. These modular arrangements of domes allow the structure for the needed future expansion and provide shade from the intense sunlight during the day.  The inner surface of the roof replicates the surface texture of a leaf and the colour schemes of brown and cream represent the surrounding desert context of Jordan.  

10. Istanbul International Airport – Grimshaw, Haptic & Nordic Team of Architects

The vaulted ceiling design of the airport gives a strong impression of directionality from airside to landside in intuitive wayfinding thus enhancing the passenger experience. The interiors are inspired by the ever-changing hues and tones of Istanbul whereas the subtle slatted roof demonstrates the play of natural light in a range of blue colours and intricate geometric patterns. A massive airport in its final phase by the year 2025, is estimated to handle up to 200 million passengers becoming the biggest airport worldwide under a single roof in terms of passenger traffic.

Tanya is pursuing her B.Arch from VIT’s PVP College of Architecture, Pune. She believes in a holistic approach towards design and living with nature. Through her bachelor’s study, she has developed an interest in travelling and exploring this profession. Apart from architecture, dance and music are an integral part which has made herself know better.

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