New airport for Zaragoza

The City of Zaragoza (Spain) will inaugurate a new, high class Airport Terminal at the time of the Zaragoza International Exposition 2008, to accommodate its anticipated rapid growth in air traffic. The new International Airport was designed by the young architectural practice Vidal y Asociados arquitectos (VAa) in association with Sener Engineering, as a result of an international design competition, with construction due to commence in October 2006. With a total size of 11,000 sqm and a cost of 40m Euros, the project includes basic infrastructure, urban planning, a new terminal and the refurbishment of the historic buildings. The new airport will accommodate up to 1 million passengers per annum and will mark the beginning of new era in the urban-planning development of the city and its direction as an international tourist location. The design is energy efficient and sustainable, maximising the entry of natural light through the use of roof lighting and transparent glazing. It is also economic and very functional thanks to its modular-shaped structure that considered the best gating strategy to facilitate passenger flow and minimize circulation time. The outer skin works as its main feature and consists of low-emissivity coated, thick insulating laminated-glass panels fixed to cast aluminium glazing bars. The extensive use of glass emphasizes openness to the city of Zaragoza, allowing passengers a view outside. The interior is conceived as a big water feature, following the Expo´s main theme, using a deep green natural stone, green transparent glazing and shined white louvers in vertical walls.