The Abu Dhabi International Airport Midfield Complex has been conceived by KPF in consistency with the tradition of transforming the desert into the ‘Garden of the Gulf’. This objective will be achieved by a design that responds to the natural environment, while also meeting the needs of the rapidly expanding capital of the UAE.
The terminal is designed to accommodate up to 20 million passengers by 2015. Ultimately the airport will process 50 million travelers and more than two million tons of cargo each year.
The brief called for a design that minimises walking distances and maximises aircraft parking capacity, while ensuring high environmental standards for the construction and operation of the complex. Following extensive analysis, an X-shaped plan has been determined to provide the greatest programmatic efficiencies with the initial 39-gate facility being expandable up to 49 gates.
The design proposes large, column-free zones that enhance passenger experience and can accommodate future expansion, internal reconfiguration, and technological changes. Framed by long-space steel arches that support a soaring roof, a generously scaled hall leads passengers into the ‘civic’ heart of the building: a vast interior complete with hotel, cultural outlets, shops, dining, lounges and park-like garden. The undulating roof curves downward at the concourse piers, provide protection from the sun and define a series of departure lounges. Way-finding is enhanced by the terminal’s configuration and use of natural light.
The project is guided by several environmental objectives, including site-wide energy management; minimisation of potable water usage and construction waste; maximisation of recycling; high performance thermal envelope; public transportation options; stratified air-conditioning systems; building controls; energy-recovery; low-energy lighting; day-lighting; passive shading; high-quality, durable materials; sustainably fuelled low-emission vehicles; and dry climate landscaping.
The terminal, which was originally scheduled to be finished in 2010, will now take five years to complete from the finalisation of the tender.
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is the largest operator of airports in the UAE.
