The contribution of structure to passengers' experience of airport terminals

Abstract

This report presents an architectural analysis of the extent to which structural design contributes to circulation, waiting, and processing spaces, as well as providing or moderating light, transparency and views in airport terminals. Thirty airport terminals ranging in scale from small regional to large international have been analysed to establish the role of structure in making these architectural contributions. This report summarises results of the analysis of the terminals studied, using examples from specific terminals to express significant research findings. One of the most significant findings recognises was the structural configuration of a terminal has a large impact on differentiating between the various pragmatic spaces within a terminal. Terminal design has the opportunity to vary the structural layout and composition of the terminal, or conversely to provide a neutral and repetitive structure, which has an effect on travellers. For the traveller appropriate variations to the primary structural layout enhance both the efficiency and experience of the terminal.