MEXICO CITY, Mexico – July 24, 2020 – CallisonRTKL, the global architecture, design and planning firm, is proud to announce its project win for the Guadalajara Airport’s second terminal. The 30 gate, 1.2 million-square-foot terminal will be designed from the ground up.
CRTKL is centering passenger experience and the at the center of the design. By monitoring the most stressful parts of travel (such as ticketing and security), designers are strategically including stress-relieving design elements, like biophilic plant features, to ease commute. The landscaping flows into the building with displays of local flora as well as large glass windows to invite in the mountains that surround it. Additionally, designers are including luxurious passenger amenities like a spa, gym, prayer and meditation rooms and local art infusions.
Local Mexican culture is also a key design element in the terminal—from canyon-like ceilings to agave-inspired structural features. Designers also plan to feature two local art galleries in the space, both of which showcase a variety of art from abstractions to interactive media.
“It’s important to us that the airport reflects the culture of its destination from departures to arrivals,” says Liliana Bernardis, senior associate in CRTKL’s Mexico City office. “We want passengers to feel entrenched in local art and landscaping every step of the way.”
Perhaps most importantly, CallisonRTKL is striving to make Guadalajara one of the first net-zero airports in the world. With research-backed, sustainable design strategies like solar energy harvest points and the roof’s mechanical cooling systems, designers plan to reduce the airport’s energy use by 60% and its carbon footprint by over 90%.
“We’re incredibly excited about transforming the Guadalajara airport into a space that reflects and celebrates Mexican culture while remaining environmentally friendly,” says Kap Malik, Vice President in CRTKL’s Los Angeles office. “Our aviation design team has a strong vision for this space, and we are excited to break ground on the project.”
For more information on this project, see press coverage in Dezeen and Passenger Terminal Today.