AIRPORT DESIGN
Wayfi nding Smaller airports present some unique design challenges, but also a great opportunity to neatly resolve certain issues that seem endemic to airports. Wayfi nding is certainly one of those issues as often many smaller airports seem to miss the boat when it comes to clearly communicating to passengers where they need to go. “With everything we were packing into this airport, we knew we had to
make fi nding your way around easy and intuitive,” says Smith, who admits that reducing passenger stress is always a key driver in Stantec’s approach to airport terminal design. Starting with a relatively narrow fl oor-plate and full height glazing, the
design features cross-terminal visibility from all public spaces. Planes are visible from the moment you pass security; and for arrivals, the parking area is visible as soon as you deplane. And the curved roof forms – evocative of the fl owing rapids that lead to
the falls themselves – gently guide passengers along. Add to this the effi ciency of a single security checkpoint and there’s virtually nowhere to go but the right way.
Holdroom challenge The split-level holdroom is another innovative approach to a common challenge, according to Smith. “In the majority of small North American airports, the experience of
passengers boarding a bridged aircraft, such as a B737 or A320, and that of passengers boarding ground loading planes, such as turboprops, is markedly different,” explains Smith. “Whether by design or by oversight, ground loading passengers are
invariably treated as second class citizens, descending into sub-standard holdrooms with limited or no amenities as they prepare to board their aircraft through temporary and possibly even makeshift structures. We were determined to make sure this didn’t happen in the new Niagara Falls terminal.” As a result the gateway’s new terminal features a split-level holdroom,
experienced as a fully glazed double-volume space once passengers exit the single security checkpoint. All passengers are able to enjoy the same level of comfort and amenity
regardless of the size of the aircraft they are boarding. In other words, to board bridged aircraft, passengers make their way up the escalator; for ground loading planes, passengers simply remain on the same level. Both fl oors feature full services such as washrooms and a variety of airport retail.
82 AIRPORT WORLD/OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2010
“In addition to equalising and elevating the experience of all
passengers, this approach avoids the common go-up-to-go-down path that many passengers must take as they make their way to ground-loading planes, which also helps with wayfi nding,” adds Smith.
Sustainable design “We were fortunate to have been awarded the entire project, from architecture to engineering, landside to airside development,” enthuses Smith. “This meant that Stantec’s culture of sustainable design could infuse every aspect of the project.” Building materials were selected for their low environmental impact and
ease of recycling, and heat gain from direct sunlight has been mediated through the use of large overhangs, external sun screening and strategically placed deciduous planting, as well as ‘white roofs’ throughout. “This is a part of the country that experiences true extremes of weather,
so we needed to employ heat mitigation strategies for summer and reduced energy consumption strategies for the cold winter months,” Smith says. Displacement ventilation ensures that only ‘people zones’ are heated
and cooled, while full-height glazing allows every ounce of available natural light to penetrate deep into the building, harmonising with indirect ambient light and task light. “We are expecting to achieve at least a 20% improvement in energy
effi ciency performance relative to levels required by the state’s Energy Conservation Construction Code in the construction of new buildings,” states the gateway’s Hartmayer.
Clear skies Now well into its fi rst year of operation, the airport is already planning for increased demand. “We are presently in the process of adding a second jet bridge to
facilitate passenger traffi c in anticipation of additional service at the terminal,” says Hartmayer. That’s an enviable position for the authority, which took a leap of faith when they decided to move forward with the terminal project.
About the author Philippe Roulston is Stantec’s Vancouver-based marketing team leader for architecture and interior design. He can be contacted at
philippe.roulston@
stantec.com
AW
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