MVRDV and NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants) have won the competition to design three new buildings at Vaclav Havel airport in Prague.
The design extends Terminal 1 of the airport with new buildings for a central security facility the airport’s security area, business, and VIP lounges and a vertiport. On the other side of the airport loop road, another building will contain a hotel, conference centre, and parking facilities. The two airport terminal expansion buildings are designed to be as transparent as possible, allowing direct views through the building to the other side. Courtyards between the buildings are densely planted with local species of vegetation, giving the appearance of a thick forest on each side of the security area.
The buildings are ‘draped’ in a green satellite image of the Czech Republic, visible on both the roof and the ceiling of the interior. This printed glass on the exterior of the buildings incorporates photovoltaics to generate a portion of the energy used by the building. It also incorporates programmable lighting elements that allow the building to communicate information about various current events around the country.
The sustainable, hybrid structures offer the airport a great deal of flexibility to easily accommodate any future expansion or rearrangement. A table-like, hybrid structural approach based on four supporting cores and large uninterrupted spans forms the flexible base for the new buildings. Concrete and steel are necessary for parts of the structure, while glued laminated timber joists support lightweight hollow concrete floors to reduce the structure’s embodied carbon.
With frontages onto both the airport loop and the airfield, the two airport terminal expansion buildings are designed to be as transparent as possible, allowing direct views through the building to the other side. Meanwhile, the exteriors are ‘draped’ with an illuminated, programmable satellite image of the Czech Republic, visible on both the roof and the ceiling of the interior.
On the other side of the airport boulevard, the third building in the proposal hosts a conference venue and hotel atop a parking structure. Taking advantage of the wedge-shaped site, the design incorporates a grand, five-storey entrance lobby at its front corner that welcomes visitors driving towards the airport. Like the two airport expansion buildings, it is draped in a satellite image of the country, a portion of which features prominently on the lobby wall. As in the other buildings, flexibility is key to the design to accommodate potential changes in programme over time.
“Most airport experiences these days have become detached from any sense of place, or any sense of control for the traveller”, said MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas. “At Prague this will soon be different. As you pass through security you will feel surrounded by the greenness of the Czech landscape – in the ceiling, which shows its green landscapes and in the courtyards nearby, which host plants that are recognisable from the Czech biotope. The experience will give a sense of calm and control… a moment to feel grounded, just before you take off. Coming back to the Czech Republic it gives a sense of return, with the three Czech Lanterns guiding you home from afar.”
“This is a unique project, one which we’re very proud to be a part of,” added Esther Kromhout, Director at NACO. “Underpinned by the principles of sustainability and building for the future, we’re also embracing unique design elements which will make for a very immersive, exciting experience as passengers pass through Vaclav Havel airport. We look forward to working closely with MVRDV and local partners to design a beautiful yet resilient extension to the airport.”
MVRDV and NACO, a company of Royal Haskoning DHV, were selected for the design via a competition organised by CCEA MOBA on behalf of Prague Airport.
