Picture of JFK Airport, 1964
No matter our destination, our chances of arriving by air are very high – our first impression of a city starts here. For this reason, airports are one of the architect’s greatest challenges. Despite not much change on floor plan dispositions, great variation in section has been made: bigger spans between structure and bigger open spaces. But what is it that makes us like an airport? With what exactly do we feel overwhelmed and at the same time comfortable?
After a lot of research amongst architects, friends and through my own experiences I have to conclude it is a combination of several things. First of all, light and space. We love arriving at big spaces where we can see and understand quickly where we are (which makes sense due to a lack of familiarity with the building). Then materials and their disposition. We tend to like concrete and steel on structures and travertine and other stone materials for floors, but also like to see warm materials like wood or fabrics (even if it is just on the seats). Nature also plays an important role. We enjoy some vegetation even if it is just on the exterior. For instance, we relate palm trees with summer, holidays and fun so even if we arrive in the winter season, we subconsciously connect fun and traveling if we see those. And finally, distances. We all hate them and if it takes too long to get to the baggage claim we’ll reach the exit complaining.
Following this classification, this is a collection of the airports that did best on the list and that are architecturally interesting as well (Vancouver’s Aquarium was not enough reason to include its airport for example). The list is personal and the order is random, they are equally welcoming. Other suggestions are kindly accepted!
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1. Menara Airport
Location: Marrakech (Morocco)
Architect: E2A Architecture and CR Architecture
Year: 2008
Brief Description: The Marrakech airport was extended with a new contemporary wing, featuring an exterior of 24 concrete rhombuses, with glass printed ancient Islamic ornamental motives. The light atmosphere is very similar to an islamic mosque. Read more here.
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2. Carrasco International Airport
Location: Montevideo (Uruguay)
Architect: Rafael Viñoly Architects
Year: 2009
Brief Description: “This terminal provides great spaces for the people who aren’t traveling as well as those who are. The atrium, the main hall, the terrace, and the passenger concourse make this a dramatic and welcoming place for everyone.” Says Viñoly. Read more here.
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3. Incheon International Airport
Location: Seoul (Korea)
Architect: Fentress Architects
Year: 2001
Brief Description: Clerestories and skylights bring enough daylight into the interior to allow the cultivation of traditional Korean gardens, which lend a peaceful and welcoming feel to the space and relates the airport to its rich cultural context. Read more here.
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4. Beijing International Airport
Location: Beijing (China)
Architect: Foster + Partners
Year: 2008
Brief Description: Conceived on an unprecedented scale, this building is outstanding in terms of operational efficiency, passenger comfort, sustainability and access to natural light. Its spatial clarity makes people very comfortable. Read more here.
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5. Terminal 4, Barajas Airport
Location: Madrid (Spain)
Architect: Richard Rogers + Estudio Lamela
Year: 2004
Brief Description: Transitions between spaces are considered as if a person changes time zones gingerly on a travel. The subtle change in colors punctuate this change. Light and transparency punch through the hill-like roof structure. Read more here.
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6. TWA Terminal
Location: New York (US)
Architect: Eero Saarinen
Year: 1962-2005
Brief Description: The two satellites (designed by Saarinen), annex buildings which contained the gates, were demolished in 2006. The Head house is being renovated, partially encircled by and serving as a ceremonial entrance to a new adjacent terminal completed in 2008 and designed by Gensler. The old terminal is much more welcoming in my opinion. Read more here.
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7. Chek Lap Kok Airport
Location: Hong Kong (China)
Architect: Foster + Partners
Year: 1998
Brief Description: With its soaring spaces, bathed in daylight, the terminal building forms a spectacular gateway to the city. Whether arriving or departing, you know you are going to start well your journey. Read more here.
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8. Norman Y. Mineta S. Jose International Airport Terminal B
Location: San Jose (US)
Architect: Fentress Architects
Year: 2010
Brief Description: Fentress Architects managed to design an intriguing form while still meeting the challenging seismological standards of California. A skin of curving ribbed or perforated metal panels covers the exterior of the terminal. The metal structure appears to wrap around, hugging and protecting, a glass tube within. Read more here.
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9. Zurich Airport
Location: Zurich (Switzerland)
Architect: Grimshaw Architects
Year: 2003
Brief Description: The longitudinal structure is graceful, yet monumental in scale. An aerodynamically curved steel roof, supported by steel A-Frames, spans the 250-metre passenger hall which makes contains retail, dining, and lounge facilities. Read more here.
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10. Changi Airport Terminal 3
Location: Singapore (Singapore)
Architect: SOM Architects
Year: 2007
Brief Description: An automatic light modulation system contains glass skylights and thousands of aluminum louvers. During the day, these louvers can be positioned to limit or increase the amount of light so that no artificial illumination is necessary. Light and nature are really well integrated. Read more here.
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11. Dulles International Airport
Location: Washington D.C (US)
Architect: Eero Saarinen
Year: 1962
Brief Description: Saarinen was chosen for his ability to provide graceful beauty, similar to the nature of flight. He had the typical challenge of providing graceful access to the building, encountered by automobile, entered and further accessed by foot. Read more here.
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Note: Interesting airports to be built: Oslo International Airport (Norway) by Narud Stokke Wiig or the new London Airport by Zaha Hadid. Other airports like the SAG – Airport Building in Mestia (Georgia) by J. Mayer H. Architectsare are private but are interesting.
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Tags: Airport, Architecture, Estudio Lamela, Fentress Architects, Foster + Partners, Grimshaw Architects, Marrakech, New York, Rafael Viñoly, Richard Rogers, Saarinen, San Jose, SOM Architects, Zurich
It seems technology has arrived everywhere, even the arts. Architecture is one of these examples, now being fully influenced by new tools and presentation systems. But just how much has technology helped architecture as a source of information or communication? To be honest, a lot, at least to the non architects. To enhance the quality of spaces and create dramatic visual effects, architects use videos that may express their intentions far better than a simple plan. In your opinion, do these videos help you to better understand the project?
