Major upgrades planned for Mexico’s gateway to Guadalajara
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Mexican airport operator, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP), is to invest more than $500 million on upgrading Guadalajara’s Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport.
The plan includes an additional runway and new terminal building as well as, in the short/mid-term, a radical new $302 million redesign of the commercial space in the existing building.
The Design Solution has been appointed to deliver the redesign with the new space due to open on a phased basis over the next two years before being fully open in 2023.
The current terminal has benefited from numerous expansion projects since its opening in 1966 and today is a collection of airside zones, complex circulation patterns and architectural styles.
The objective of the terminal redesign is to rationalise passenger flows, creating a series of engaging touchpoints along the passenger journey, from security to gate, with a visionary design that unifies the entire experience.
The Design Solution has worked alongside the project’s commercial consultants, Pragma Consulting, in fulfilling the approved proposal.
The new plan is said to optimise previously under-utilised space, creating a new vibrancy to the passenger experience with a significantly enlarged commercial zone.
The two security areas are retained and passengers are now drawn towards the airside heart of the terminal, a newly revitalised area overlooking the apron, surrounded by a dynamic mix of retail, bars, restaurants, pop-up sites and other customer service facilities.
“It is always a challenge to transform older terminals that have evolved through piecemeal development, especially those that were predominantly assembled before commercial revenues became so important,” says Design Solution director, Graeme Johns.
“These new designs will create a world class facility and passenger experience fitting for GAP’s ambitions to transform Guadalajara International Airport and to maximise its commercial potential.
“Mexico is so rich in history, culture, craft and unique landscapes and so finding a special feature to tie the designs together was not difficult. Guadalajara is the heart of the Tequila and we were inspired by the shape of the harvested Agave plant used in the production of this iconic spirt, which is also one of the fastest growing categories in travel retail.
“Its unique form is evident throughout the decoration of the terminal, such as the decorative lighting grilles featured in the main walkways and in the food & beverage area.”
GAP’s chief executive officer, Raul Revuelta, notes. “In the core airside commercial area, we currently have 5,700 square metres and that will increase to 7,250 square metres.
“The pandemic inevitably means the implementation of our ambitious plans will likely take longer than originally hoped but we look forward to a phased approach to achieving this vision.”
A key area of the redesign is centred on a flat roof canopy, located outside the centre of the terminal building, over an expanded baggage area. The proposal is to transform this into a signature feature of the terminal, with an external garden terrace, surrounding an Agave-inspired architectural shade pod, offering casual seating, planting and a unique eating and drinking destination.
The ambience of this garden has also inspired the character of the indoor food & beverage zone and is further reflected in the outside feel that is brought inside to the gate seating areas.
Heavily planted areas include trees to complement the minimalistic concrete benches with low level under-lighting, combining to create a light, contemporary and natural landscape look and feel. The exterior aesthetic is further enhanced with the application of resin-bound aggregate floor finishes and warm natural materials.
A large rotunda space is introduced directly after the wall-through duty free store, enabling passengers to pause, orientate themselves, check flight information and then plan how to spend their time before heading to the gate.
In addition a large aura formation of pendant lights, made from Peltra, a Mexican porcelain enamel, designed by local contemporary design agency Bandido Studio in Puebla, is suspended within the space, creating a striking statement with a strongly local sense of place.
Beside agave cultivation, Tequila and Mezcal production, Guadalajara is home to Mexico’s thriving software industry, known worldwide as Mexico’s Silicon Valley.
Guadalajara is the country’s third largest airport, handling almost 15 million passengers in 2019, and will be equipped to accommodate 30mppa when the upgrade is completed.