An airport terminal is often a place of a visited country’s first impressions. The arrivals and departures are often accompanied by mixed emotions of welcoming and goodbyes. Terminal 3 is used by travelers of both private and national flights, therefore emphasis was placed on the current representative image of the building.
The architectural adjustments of Terminal 3 respect the character of the original building with features of postmodernism, while creating a strong and significant character of the terminal towards the airport plane. An important goal of the reconstruction was the separation of air traffic and improving access to the terminal and it’s runway. This led to the installation of new exits, and adjustments of communication elements such as the staircases, ramps, and roofing of the main entrance’s outer area. The most noticeable of these changes is the entrance’s awning, which, thanks to it’s unique shape, represents an exclusive visual feature. This design is also reflected in the supporting columns in the shape of perpendicular pyramids, in the new stairways and ramps, through which they create the easily identifiable special dominants.
Interior changes were focused predominantly on the representative entrance floor with a grandiose entrance hall and a VIP salon. The design works with the journey of a traveler through the terminal, including safety measures, and an experiential road with many designated spots for rest or work. The installation of new orientation features simplifies the traveler’s navigation and contributes to the overall comfort of the interior. The result of all these changes is the modernization of the terminal, capable of effectively serving both private and public flights, and offers travelers not only comfort and safety, but also an aesthetic experience conjoined with modern design and technology.
Year of implementation: 2023
Client: the Prague Airport, a.s.
Location:Prague, Vaclav Havel Airport
Photos by Petr Polák and Jan Pokorný
Authors: doc. Ing. arch. Radek Lampa, Ing. Libor Hrdoušek, Ing. David Hřebačka, Ing. arch. Dominika Klavrzová, Ing. arch. David Skalický, Ing. arch. Tomas Kroužil
