The art of designing community minded airports
By Stantec Winnipeg Richardson International Airport– a new aerotropolis designed by Stantec and Pelli Clark Pelli.
it’s more than free WiFi hot spots or self-check-in and greater than trendy coffee shops and upscale shopping – al- though those changes play a part. With hotels, restaurants, and even attractions, these small cities – or aerotropolises, as they are being called – are doing more every year to become community hubs in our cities. Winnipeg Richardson International
W
Airport’s terminal is a great example. Creating a pleasurable experience for visitors, passengers and staff was a pri- ority for the design team of Stantec, to- gether with Pelli Clarke Pelli architects. For the team at Stantec, the project was in their hometown, so creating that community feel was a priority. Canada’s first LEED® certified airport terminal is a hub of activity and vastly improves the visitor experience from the previ- ous terminal. It combines sophisticated architecture with an easy to navigate layout. Full height windows let natural light spill in and provide scenic views of the prairie landscape, while harness- ing the use of natural light – making it a place where people want to linger, meet and connect, instead of just rush- ing through. “As designers, our work constantly in-
teracts with our local and international communities,” says Eric Wiens, Stan-
78 • Fall 2015
alk through an airport today and there’s no doubt a lot has changed in the last 20 years. But
Winnipeg Richardson International Airport’s terminal was designed for visi- tors to have the ability to see straight through the building.
tec’s vice president for Manitoba. “We need to be aware of that, and to always connect our professional work with the needs of the community.” When it comes to airports, Stantec’s
approach to creating a feeling of com- munity is to minimize the stress that often accompanies travelling. Te de- sign team at Stantec uses many tactics that subtly make getting from the front doors to the gate much easier. Tings that might not be obvious, like flooring and ceiling patterns, the use of lighting to indicate direction, and the use of co- lours and textures can all help to guide passengers in the direction they need without them having to
desperately
search for a sign. One of the most ef- fective strategies is the incorporation of artwork and exhibits into the terminal at key changes of direction. When prop- erly located, these features can serve as effective place-makers and points of ref- erence. Winnipeg’s airport has another rare stress-reducing feature. It’s one of the few airport terminals in the world that, from the moment you walk in the door, you can see all the way through the building to the aircraft at the gate. Trav- ellers immediately know exactly where and how far they have to go. Designers have to consider every as-
pect of the visitor experience, from the approach to the building and out to a
The Hub
All photos courtesy of Stantec.
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