DESIGN PROCESS SITE ASSESSMENT Every design project begins with a thorough assessment of the site. The design team investigates existing conditions like the placement of utilities and the condition of the soil.
Terminal design involves the choreography of aircraft, ground transportation, people, baggage, and goods, all within a single facility.
LANDSIDE ORGANIZATION
AIRSIDE ORGANIZATION Much of a terminal’s planning is dictated by the design of the airside - the placement of gates and the pathways the aircraft use to circulate to and from the runways. Airside organization takes into account the size of the aircraft currently in use and how that might change in the future. Extensive simulation and modeling examine the way the airside layout will function at the busiest times of the day and year.
TERMINAL FOOTPRINT
In addition to the airside, the landside layout is the other major factor in designing the site. The landside takes into account not only the way that passengers arrive in their cars, but also the way taxis, buses, goods, and emergency vehicles circulate. The landside design must also ensure that access to the existing terminals is not impeded during the construction process.
The terminal can be thought of as occupying the space between the airside and the landside. Passenger facilities are sized for the airport’s future growth, preparing for the decades ahead.
SETTING THE STRUCTURAL GRID
LOCATING THE SYSTEMS
The terminal’s structural grid is designed to respond to the needs of each space within the building. Longer spans are used in locations where flexible planning and free passenger movement are required - such as the check-in hall.
A terminal is sometimes described as a “baggage system with a building around it.” The location of the systems - baggage, mechanical, electrical etc. - and their integration with the structure is a key aspect of terminal design.
PASSENGER FLOWS
ORGANIZING THE PROGRAM
Passenger convenience is the top priority in the design of the new terminal. The building is organized to minimize level changes, reduce walking distance, and provide intuitive wayfinding.
A terminal is made up of more than simply the check-in hall and gate lounges. Careful consideration is given to the arrangement of retail, offices, back of house, and mechanical spaces. The building is organized to maximize the efficiency of terminal operations.