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AW2 2024 NEWS SPECIAL REPORT

Design and build

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Joe Bates considers the infrastructure development challenges facing airports and reviews 12 different projects that are either planned, underway or have been recently completed across the globe.

With global passenger traffic on the rise and set to exceed pre-COVID levels by the end of the year, the need for new infrastructure to ensure that airports can keep pace with demand and meet the needs and expectations of the travelling public is firmly back in the spotlight.

In truth, the need for new airports, terminals and runways never really went away, it just wasn’t the top priority for many during the global pandemic which at its height, led to some gateways handling just a fraction of their usual daily passenger totals or nobody at all.

However, while some airports scrapped, halted construction or delayed the start of key projects during the pandemic, others actually decided to bring their capital development programmes forward to take advantage of the lack of activity at their facilities, some of which you will be able to read more about later on in this article.

ACI World has certainly never lost sight of the infrastructure challenge ahead for airports, with director general, Luis Felip de Oliveira, reminding us in the last issue that approximately $2.4 trillion in airport total capital investments will be needed to address the long-term trends in passenger demand to 2040.

Nashville International Airport ©Andrew Keithly Photography.

And in North America, ACI-NA’s 2023 U.S. Airport Infrastructure Needs Report: Growing Needs Heighten Urgency to Modernize America’s Airports revealed that US airports faced a backlog of planned and necessary infrastructure projects that would total at least $151 billion over the next five years.

The huge infrastructure need possibly helps explain why US airports account for five of the 12 airport development projects featured in this article, and why we also have a separate article on the multi-billion transformation of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on pages 34-35 of this issue.

The US airport development projects covered in this article are the planned new Terminal One and Terminal 6 at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport; Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s Terminal B Transformation Program; the newly revamped Nashville International Airport; DFW’s Central Terminal Area Expansion Program; and Fort Lauderdale’s planned new Terminal 5.

Elsewhere in the world we review the ambitious new terminal planned for Florence Airport in Italy; new terminals at Kuwait International Airport in Kuwait and Tiruchirappalli International Airport in India; the next phase of the development of Madinah Airport in Saudi Arabia; the construction of Noida International Airport in India; Vietnam’s new Long Than International Airport; and a proposed new gateway in Cartagena, Colombia.

New terminals at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport

Terminal 6 and New Terminal One (NTO) are key projects in the historic $19 billion redevelopment of John F Kennedy International Airport that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) say will transform the airport into a “21st century global gateway set to rival the best airports in the world from kerb to gate”.

Both new terminals are being privately built as a result of public-private partnerships with the Port Authority, which is developing new roadways, parking facilities and support infrastructure for the new additions.

The Port Authority and JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) – the company selected to build and operate Terminal 6 – recently marked one year since breaking ground on the $4.2 billion terminal with a sneak peek of the facility through a new animated rendering from terminal frontage to gate.

Construction of the terminal is on schedule, with the last beams of steel expected to be erected this summer and the first gates to open in 2026.

Throughout construction, the project is expected to create more than 4,000 jobs, including 1,800 union construction jobs and direct wages of $1.9 billion.

“Watching the steel frame of a new Terminal 6 taking shape is a tangible sign that JFK’s transformation into a world-class global gateway is well underway,” said PANYNJ’s executive director Rick Cotton.

While George Casey, JFK Millennium Partners’ chairman and the chair and CEO of Vantage Airport Group, which leads Terminal 6 development and also spearheaded the development of LaGuardia Airport’s new award-winning Terminal B, enthused: “To see our hard-working, talented team and partners develop the new JFK Terminal 6 from the ground up is tremendously exciting.

“With each construction milestone and this one-year mark, we’re closer to welcoming passengers to an extraordinary new airport facility that will provide tremendous benefits to the local community, city, and state that Terminal 6 will proudly serve.”

JMP is developing Terminal 6 in two phases, with the first five gates set to open in early 2026 and construction expected to be completed by 2028.

Lufthansa Group has announced it will move to the new terminal, operating flights to several European gateways and creating a world-class lounge experience for guests travelling on its group of airlines that includes Lufthansa, SWISS International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. Advanced discussions with other air carriers are underway.

New York City-inspired retail, dining options and amenities totalling nearly 100,000 square feet is planned at Terminal 6 to create a unique New York sense of place. Selection of the future food and beverage, retail and duty-free concession brands is underway, with partners to be announced once chosen.

Meanwhile, work on the $9.5 billion New Terminal One at JFK – being built on sites occupied by the existing Terminal 1 and recently closed Terminal 2 and former Terminal 3 – continues at a pace ahead of a planned first phase opening in 2026.

The first phase opening of the NTO will include new Arrivals and Departure Halls and 14 new gates, however, there is much more to come as when fully built in 2030, the new 2.4 million square foot complex will be the largest terminal at JFK and nearly the same size as LaGuardia Airport’s two terminals combined.

According to the Port Authority, the new terminal will be a sustainably designed state-of-the-art international-only terminal with 23 gates that boasts “naturally lit public spaces, cutting-edge technology and an array of amenities, all designed to enhance the customer experience and compete with some of the highest-rated airport terminals in the world.”

The huge new complex is being built and will be operated by the New Terminal One consortium, which along with the PANYNJ and commercial partner Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) recently unveiled the commercial vision for the new terminal.

“The launch of the commercial programme for the New Terminal One is an important milestone as we advance towards our scheduled opening in 2026,” said Dr Gerrard Bushell, president and CEO of The New Terminal One.

“We are proud to partner with URW Airports to launch a world-class retail experience featuring global brands and local New York businesses, reflecting the dazzling array of offerings that our great city is known for. Our food and beverage selection will showcase a rich diversity of cuisines and flavours inspired by the tapestry of cultures that make up New York City, while driving real economic opportunities in our community for generations to come.”

The NTO is being privately financed by a consortium of labour, operating and financial partners that include Ferrovial, Carlyle, JLC Infrastructure and Ullico. The terminal will be constructed by a design build team led by AECOM Tishman, which has managed the construction of some of the world’s most iconic buildings, and Gensler, a leading global design and architecture firm.

Vineyard on the roof of Florence’s new terminal

In one of the most innovative designs ever unveiled for an airport, Rafael Viñoly Architects has drawn up plans for a new green terminal at Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport in Italy that includes a 19-acre vineyard on its roof.

The unique sloping rooftop is set to feature 38 rows of productive vineyards which will help contribute to the terminal’s LEED Platinum sustainability rating and make it “a landmark for the city’s sustainable future”.

Designed to pay homage to Tuscany’s wine producing heritage, the vineyards on top of the 50,000sqm terminal will be cultivated by a local vintner from the region and the wine it produces will be crafted and aged in specialised cellars beneath the roof.

Other sustainability features included in the new terminal, which is expected to handle around six million international passengers annually, include:

•  A combination of standard solar panels and translucent photovoltaic panels, which are woven throughout the structure, including in between the vineyard rows

• Evaporative cooling from the planting beds and the shading of the vineyard plant nearly eliminates solar gain through opaque roof surfaces

• An HVAC system that shifts between hybrid cooling and mechanical cooling, depending on the season

• Rainwater harvesting designed into the structural elements that house the vineyards, and the reutilisation of purified wastewater to reduce the building’s need for potable water

• Lighting systems will be developed around LED lighting with astronomical time clocks and daylight harvesting to minimise the use of artificial lighting.

For those wondering what impact aviation will have on the produce from the rooftop vineyard, the designers note that the roof of the building will be planted with non-fruit-bearing vines and the fruit-bearing varieties will be planted on the berm (a mound made of soil and earth that lies underneath the roof of the first third of the length of the building) that marks the eastern origin of the roof and the land to the east of that.

The fruit-bearing vines will also be at least 400 metres away from the nearest aircraft or fuel depot in a location where the prevailing winds and the geometry of the building itself keep pollutants away from the plants.

Rafael Viñoly Architects promises that the terminal’s interior will feature a sense of place design and facilities to enhance the passenger.

It also argues that by placing Arrivals and Departures facing each other across a large ‘Piazza’ at the centre of the building, circulation into and out of the terminal will be streamlined, while also providing access to mass transit, parking and retail that serves the local community as well as travellers.

In addition to the new terminal, the airport’s existing runway is being reoriented by 90 degrees and lengthened so that it can handle bigger aircraft that are currently restricted from flying to Florence by hills surrounding the airport and the runway’s length.

The airport is also set to get a new light rail system that creates a swift and sustainable way for customers to get around.

Speaking about Florence and the new airport, in 2022 the late Rafael Viñoly, principal and founder of Rafael Viñoly Architects, said: “Florence is maybe the only city in the world that does not need to be promoted. It represents the very idea of culture; a culture that is productive, intellectual, artistic, and always practical and pragmatic. Florence is a place where things become permanent landmarks because they have a fundamental sense of internal logic and quality.

“Because the airport, which is the door to the city and its culture, is so extremely close to the city centre, this must be an urbanistic project, not an isolated design exercise that is divorced from everything but the technical demands of aviation and the competition for passengers.

“The ambition and sensitivity of the scheme is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the city’s leadership, the aviation authorities and the airport operator.”

The project will be completed in two phases, with phase one anticipated to be completed in 2026 and phase two in 2035.

Central Terminal Area expansion at DFW

HOK is part of the design team for the Central Terminal Area Expansion Program at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

The project includes the addition of two new concourse piers at Terminals A and C as well as the full modernisation of Terminal C. Nine new gates will be added to the terminals.

It is envisaged that the updates will streamline the traveller experience at DFW, refreshing Terminal A in support of the new concourse pier and upgraded Terminal C. The project includes renovating and expanding the ticketing hall, security checkpoint, baggage claim hall and related support facilities.

The terminal renovations will feature spacious halls to improve passenger flow and support wayfinding. Floor-to-ceiling windows will offer abundant natural light, featuring high-tech glass that adapts its tint to sunlight intensity and solar heat gain. New, prominently displayed gate signage will help passengers identify their gate locations from a distance.

The Central Terminal Area Expansion Program is employing modular construction to accelerate the construction timeline. This ‘plug-and-play’ construction method is said to increase flexibility when adding the two new concourse piers while minimising disruptions to operations. The project team is building these large-scale modules off-site before transporting and installing them.

According to HOK, innovative technology incorporated into the project will enhance the airport’s operational efficiencies. Terminals A and C will utilise one of the most comprehensive building management systems in the aviation industry to optimise operations and reduce energy use. Nova Lift Systems at all gates will improve accessibility, enabling passengers with motorised wheelchairs to use them up to the gate rather than leaving them at check-in.

“The Central Terminal Area Expansion Program is leveraging the latest technology to design and deliver modern airport terminals that will transform the travel experience at DFW,” says David Mason, HOK’s principal-in-charge. “We’re committed to providing a superior, faster and cost-effective design solution for the airport.”

The Central Terminal Area Expansion Program is scheduled for completion prior to 2030. The project team is a joint venture between HOK, Austin Commercial, Azteca Enterprises, Alpha & Omega and Muller & Muller, Ltd.

Upgrading existing airport and building a new one in Cartagena

Colombia’s Infrastructure agency ANI and Operadora Internacional Aeropuerto de Cartagena (OINAC), a subsidiary of concessionaire Termotécnica Coindustrial, have signed a $230 million contract to build a new international terminal and upgrade the existing terminal at Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport.

The upgrades will allow the gateway to handle up to eight million passengers annually, but are widely viewed as a temporary solution before the opening of a proposed new airport on a 864 hectare site in Bayunca, north of Cartagena, in around 2033.

Precise information about the new airport project is hard to find, but it has been suggested that it will initially be equipped with a 70,300sqm terminal and a single runway, giving it the capacity to handle up to 11 million passengers per annum. This is expected to rise to up to 45 million passengers per annum with future expansion that will include the addition of a second runway.

The new airport is backed by Colombian infrastructure developer and investor, Odinsa (Groupo Argos); Macquarie, an Australian private investment fund operator; and Conecta Caribe, a Cartagena firm with investments in the hotel and real estate sector.

Rafael Núñez Airport is third biggest airport in Colombia, after Bogota’s El Dorado and Medellín’s José María Córdova’s Rionegro Airport.

New Noida International Airport to open later this year

With its construction nearing completion and navigation equipment currently being installed, India’s newest gateway, Noida International Airport, is expected to open in late 2024, the exact opening date depending on how work progresses over the next few months.

The airport on the outskirts of New Delhi has been given the IATA code ‘DXN’ and recently announced that Indigo – one of the fastest growing airlines in the world – would be its launch carrier.

Under the arrangement, DXN and IndiGo will work together towards developing and strengthening the air connectivity within Uttar Pradesh and beyond.

DXN’s CEO, Christoph Schnellmann, said: “We are excited to sign this MoU with IndiGo, which has a strong base both in domestic and international markets. The partnership between NIA and IndiGo will not only help bolster air connectivity but also innovate, ensuring an exceptional customer experience for our customers alike.

“By leveraging IndiGo’s extensive route network and expertise, we aim to provide our passengers with unparalleled connectivity and an exceptional travel experience.”

Viewed as an alternative to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, Noida is being built, and will be operated by, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a special purpose vehicle set up for the job and 100% owned by Zurich Airport International.

It will initially have a capacity of 12 million passengers per annum before being expanded to accommodate 30mppa and eventually 70mppa by the end of the concession in 2061.

Schnellmann notes: “As one of the world’s largest urban agglomerations, India’s National Capital Region deserves a second airport. Noida International Airport will make this long-standing dream a reality. We look forward to welcoming passengers, customers, and partners at the region’s new economic and cultural hub.”

The master architect team for DXN’s passenger terminal consists of Grimshaw, the Nordic Office of Architecture, Haptic and STUP. Their design is said to merge Swiss efficiency and Indian hospitality.

New Terminal 2 at Kuwait International Airport

Architects Foster + Partners reveal that the design of Kuwait International Airport’s new Terminal 2 is rooted in a sense of place, responsive to the climate of one of the hottest inhabited environments on earth, and inspired by local forms and materials.

It notes that the terminal has a trefoil plan, comprising three symmetrical wings of departure gates. Each façade spans 1.2 kilometres and all extend from a dramatic 25-metre-high central space.

“The terminal balances the enclosure of this vast area with a design that is highly legible at a human scale – for simplicity and ease of use there are few level changes,” says Foster + Partners.

“To further aid orientation, the building is planned under a single roof canopy, punctuated by glazed openings that filter daylight, while deflecting direct solar radiation.

“The canopy extends to shade a generous entrance plaza and is supported by tapering concrete columns, their fluid, organic forms draw inspiration from the contrast between the solidity of the stone and the shape and movement of Kuwait’s traditional dhow sailing boats.”

Drawing on the region’s culture of hospitality and welcoming guests to Kuwait, the design aims to create an elegant and memorable arrival sequence for passengers, which includes a baggage reclaim area surrounded by cooling cascades of water.

The design also features a grand new landside access sequence from the south and a “lush oasis” of landscaping close to the building, with strands of drier planting and species native to the desert climate extending further away from the terminal.

Big ambitions at Fort Lauderdale International Airport

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) has started preliminary work on Terminal 5, its first new-build terminal in decades, has plans for a new Automated People Mover (APM) and Intermodal Center, and is adding some “game changing” terminal connectors
post security.

Expected to handle around five million passengers annually, Terminal 5 is designed as a two-level, five-gate domestic terminal with check-in/ticketing areas, arrival/departure baggage processing, a security screening checkpoint, and retail/food and beverage concessions.

The estimated $404 million state-of-the-art facility will connect to the existing onsite Cypress parking garage and Terminal 4 through multi-level pedestrian bridges/walkways.

It will have Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) features similar to the existing terminals and will have environmentally friendly elements built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED Silver certification standards.

“We’re excited about FLL’s new terminal and expect it’s going to be a welcome and much-needed asset to accommodate our airport’s growth,” says Broward County administrator, Monica Cepero.

Preliminary work on the approximately 230,000-square-foot terminal set to rise on the east side of Terminal 4 has commenced with site clearing and tree mitigation, among other early-phase tasks. Construction should take about three years for a targeted completion in mid-2026.

“The new terminal will help provide the needed critical infrastructure required to propel FLL forward by creating opportunities for new and existing airline partners to grow and help set the stage for future Master Plan expansion activities,” enthuses FLL’s CEO/director of aviation, Mark Gale.

Based on a joint agreement between Broward County and JetBlue Airways Corp, the New York-based carrier is managing the construction of FLL’s new terminal on behalf of the County. JetBlue, FLL’s second-largest airline, also oversaw the modernisation project in Terminal 3, where the carrier primarily operates.

Firms working on the project include Parsons, M Arthur Gensler & Associates, KEITH and Hunt/Moss.

In another project, Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD) has received a $50 million grant from the FAA to fund a portion of FLL’s Terminal Connectors project, which consists of the construction of enclosed post-security walkways between Terminals 1 and 2 and Terminals 2 and 3.

The project also includes modifications to the existing terminals, such as enhanced security checkpoints, an upgraded baggage hall, an expanded passenger gate-area holdroom, and more retail and F&B concessions.

According to the latest plans, the Terminal Connectors project is expected to cost around $260 million, with work targeted for completion in late 2027.

“The two new terminal connectors will be game changers for FLL,” noted Gale. “When completed, all airport terminals will be connected post-security, enabling passengers to move freely throughout the secured areas without exiting and re-entering a security checkpoint.”

Other projects in the pipeline include an $835 million Intermodal Center (IMC), which it expects to start construction on within three to five years, and a new APM within the next decade.

As currently proposed, the APM circulator at FLL would consist of an elevated (60-65 feet above ground level) guideway and train system connecting the airport’s terminals, existing parking garages, Rental Car Center, and the future Intermodal Center in a closed loop with up to six stations and a Maintenance and Storage Facility.

Long Than International Airport

Vietnam’s planned new Long Thanh International Airport promises to be one of the most modern, innovative and exciting gateways in Asia-Pacific.

The country’s much-awaited new international airport is being built in Long Thành, Dong Nai Province, around 40 kilometres east of Ho Chi Minh City.

Phase 1 of the new greenfield gateway is due to be completed in the first half of 2026, at which time it will be equipped with a 25 million passengers per annum capacity terminal building, single 4,000-metre runway, and cargo facilities capable of handling 1.2 million tonnes of cargo yearly.

However, with traffic soaring, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is already planning to build a second runway for the Long Thanh International Airport directly after the first runway becomes operational.

For this, ACV will utilise an estimated VND4 trillion ($162 million) saved from the first phase of the airport project.

And by the mid-2030s, two more runways and three more terminals will be added taking the total cost of the new airport to in excess of $18.7 billion. By this time, the airport will have a total capacity of 80-100 million passengers and five million tonnes of cargo annually.

The design of Long Thanh International Airport’s passenger terminal is said to have been inspired by the elegance of full-blossomed lotus petals, delicately embodied to complete the curvilinear shape of the terminal.

The design team wanted to embrace the unique characteristics of Vietnamese culture in its design and chose the lotus flower as it is viewed as a source of inspiration because it signifies strength.

The passenger terminal will occupy a total floor area of 400,000 square-metres spread over four floors that include separate Arrivals and Departures levels and a dedicated floor for baggage make-up.

While a ground transportation centre and short-term parking will be conveniently located in front of the terminal to ensure quick and easy connections for passengers and visitors.

In the meantime, such is the demand for air travel in Vietnam that the existing airport in Ho Chi Minh City is also being developed. A new Terminal 3 is currently being built at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and expected to open in April 2025, after which the airport will focus on expanding the existing Terminals 1 and 2.

The future development programme at Tan Son Nhat is expected to cost $1 billion and will raise capacity from 46 to 76 million passengers per annum.

Planning next stage in development of Madinah Airport

TAV Airports is to invest $275 million on expanding the existing terminal and building a new domestic terminal at Madinah Airport (Medina) in Saudi Arabia.

It says that the investment is needed to ensure that the airport is equipped to handle 18 million passengers per annum, allowing it to meet “surging passenger traffic”, which last year jumped by just under 50% to 9.4 million passengers.

The gateway, officially called Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, was Saudi Arabia’s first airport privatisation project.

The signing of the ‘Head of Terms’ agreement was attended by the Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport Saleh bin Nasser AI Jasser; president of General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Abdulaziz Al-Duailej;TAV Airports CEO, Serkan Kaptan, and executive board member and chair of excom, Franck Mereyde.

Kaptan enthused: “We have been successfully operating Madinah Airport, the gateway to the Holy Land, together with our partner Al-Rajhi, for the last 12 years. The passenger traffic is increasing on a very fast pace following lift of travel bans brought in during the pandemic.

“This new investment programme will help accommodate increasing demand and is fully supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to attract more visitors into the country.”

The consortium of TAV Airports and Al-Rajhi Holding holds the concession rights to operate Madinah Airport until May 2041.

The planned investment includes building a new domestic terminal with an area of 40,000sqm, which allow for the existing terminal to concentrate on the further development of international traffic.

According to TAV Airports, which is a member of Groupe ADP, the airport will also benefit from new connecting roads and more car parking spaces.

TAV Airports began the operation and development of Madinah Airport in 2012 and has since built a new terminal, which upon opening was the first LEED-certificated building in the MENA region.

Global airport operator, TAV Airports, served 96 million passengers in 2023 at 110 airports in 33 countries across the globe.

Terminal B Transformation Program at Houston Bush

United Airlines and Houston Airport System (HAS) plan to “redefine the air travel experience and cater to the future needs of passengers” upon completion of the airline’s Terminal B Transformation Program at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

The programme encompasses the construction of 40 new gates for both domestic and international travel, to ensure what is being described as a cutting-edge experience for up to 36 million passengers per annum. The Terminal B transformation includes expanding kerbside and roadway capacity, along with expanding the ticketing lobby, offering passengers convenience through dynamic signage, intuitive wayfinding systems and a ground-level check-in area. The third floor is expected to house a streamlined security processing area.

Once through security, the New Terminal B North expansion comprises two new passenger concourses, replacing the 1969-era Flight Stations. The Terminal B North Concourse, spanning approximately 765,000 square feet over three levels, will house 22 narrow-body gates.

Additionally, a large United ClubSM at the mezzanine level will offer unobstructed views of the airfield, set to become the largest club in the United system.

The project will also include two major concessions hubs, offering 115,000 square feet of state-of-the-art food and retail space including unique dining and shopping experiences.

IAH Terminal B Transformation Program to accommodate a projected 36 million future passengers with brand new gates and amenities for travellers.

The baggage claim hall will be expanded, and a new baggage handling system, equipped with advanced baggage tracking technology, will support increased capacity.

“The expansion of Terminal B underscores the shared commitment between United Airlines and the City of Houston to enhance Bush Airport and Houston’s economy,” said Houston mayor, Sylvester Turner.

“This redevelopment programme will bring nearly 3,000 new jobs to Houston. The bigger and more modern domestic terminal will amplify Houston’s reputation as a premier destination and cultivate even more opportunities for future economic development.”

United Airlines is to invest close to $2 billion in the Terminal B Transformation Program and the City of Houston expects to fund $624 million in enabling projects required for the programme.

Construction and design companies involved in the project include Page; Grimshaw Architects; Clark Construction; and PGAL, a Houston-based international design firm specialising in architecture, interiors, engineering.

New terminal opens at Tiruchirappalli International Airport

Tiruchirappalli International Airport’s new integrated passenger terminal designed by Pascall+Watson Architects has been officially inaugurated by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Spanning an impressive 75,000 square metres, the 4.5 million passenger capacity building is said to reflect the city’s vibrant heritage while embracing sustainability and future development.

Indeed, embracing renewable energy measures and innovative initiatives such as rainwater harvesting systems, ground-source heat pumps, and photovoltaic panels helped the terminal achieve GRIHA Four Star rating, ensuring that sustainability is at its heart.

Other ‘green’ measures include the use of energy-efficient canopies and LED lighting, low heat gain double glazing units and extensive landscaping featuring native flora.

According to Pascall+Watson, other notable design highlights include an “expressive roof form and multi-layered facade, showcasing geometry, textures, and colours that reflect the city’s traditional style”.

Describing its design concepts for the Tamil Nadu located airport’s new terminal, Pascall+Watson says that it drew inspiration from Tiruchirappalli’s rich architectural heritage and local customs, noting that it “successfully infused age-old temple architecture elements to create a distinctive identity for the airport”.

Nitesh Naidoo, director for Pascall+Watson, said: “We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to develop the vision for the New Terminal, a bold and inspired design approach that truly speaks of its time and place.”

In fact Pascall+Watson believes that the Tiruchirappalli International Airport project serves as an embodiment of blending cultural significance with advanced architectural solutions.

“The intelligent use of traditional inspiration alongside modern materials elevates its status as a powerful symbol for the state of Tamil Nadu,” states the global design company.

Egis India was engaged as design and project management consultant for the construction of the new terminal building, elevated roads and all other associated work.

Nashville International Airport ©Andrew Keithly Photography.

Strategic planning and design at Nashville Airport

Nashville International Airport (BNA) soared to new heights in 2023, welcoming a record-breaking 21.9 million passengers, a remarkable 18.7% increase from 2022.

This surge in traffic, propelled by the visionary BNA Vision initiative launched in 2017, prompted Fentress Architects to embark on a series of transformative projects aimed at accommodating the escalating passenger volumes.

Under the leadership of Curtis Fentress, FAIA Principal in Charge of Design, Fentress Architects commenced their collaboration with BNA in 2017, initiating a portfolio of projects designed to enhance the airport’s infrastructure:

• Concourse D and Terminal Wings (opened July 2020)
• Terminal Lobby (opened January 2023)
• International Arrivals Facility (opened September 2023)
• Concourse D Extension (scheduled for 2025)
• Concourse A (scheduled for 2028)

The Terminal Lobby, unveiled in January 2023, boasts a waved roof canopy extending seamlessly from the terminal garage to the International Arrivals Facility (IAF).

This innovative canopy provides coverage for roadway and kerbside access, significantly improving passenger convenience. Moreover, the central core vertically connects all five levels, optimising spatial organisation and enhancing passenger flow throughout the airport.

Sustainability remains a cornerstone of Fentress Architects’ approach at BNA. With a focus on achieving a minimum of USGBC LEED Silver Certification for all facilities, each new space incorporates features such as electrochromic glass to optimise energy use, ensuring BNA’s growth is both incorporative of technical innovation and is environmentally responsible.

Nashville International Airport ©Andrew Keithly Photography.

The International Arrivals Facility, inaugurated in September 2023, addresses the escalating demand from Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

With six international gates, automated passport controls, and a central concession marketplace, it ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience for passengers arriving from abroad.

Fentress Architects are currently engaged in the expansion of Concourse D, slated for completion in 2025. This extension will introduce five additional gates and outdoor spaces, offering passengers panoramic views of the airfield. Additionally, the new space will incorporate symbolic elements reflective of Nashville’s musical heritage.

Furthering the airport’s development, Concourse A is also being replaced and scheduled for completion in 2028. It will add 16 new gates, approximately 380,000 square feet, and enhance the North Terminal with expanded ticketing and baggage claim halls.

This addition represents BNA’s commitment to accommodating future growth of a 59.77% increase from 21.9 million passengers in 2023 to 35 million passengers by 2028.

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