Bahrain’s international airport (BIA) was established in 1927 in Muharraq, in close proximity to Manama, the capital city, and was the oldest international airport in the Persian Gulf. In order to ensure that BIA is equipped to fulfill goals set by Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, connecting Bahrain to the world and contributing to its socio-economic progress, an expansion of the existing airport was proposed. The facility was designed by Aeroport de Paris Ingénierie (ADPi) in 2014 and the construction contract was awarded to Turkish airport specialist TAV and UAE-based contractor Arabtec in 2016. The new terminal spans over 210,000m2 which is four times larger than the former terminal, with an increased capacity of 14 million passengers per year and a handling capacity of 4,700 bags per peak hour.
The Design Concept and Solutions
ADP Ingénierie realized the potential of the new terminal to showcase the region’s history, culture, and hospitality and the progress it has achieved through the years, to the international user base of this terminal. ADP Ingénierie designed the BIA as a “modern boutique airport, with a Bahraini feel”. Moreover, the firm intended to create a hassle-free experience and the highest standards of luxury for the passengers to alleviate their travel stress.
The boutique airport features short walking distances and digital signages at the appropriate locations, making wayfinding effortless and the journey straightforward, as short walking distances quicken processing times and improve customer service standards. Moreover, the elements like a double-height central atrium with a huge screen, large wooden cylinders, and wavy baffle ceilings spread throughout the terminal showcase the rich local heritage enhancing the user experience and giving a more personal feel.
Spatial Breakdown of the Project
The expansion of the BIA included the construction of a new 210,000 m² Terminal Building and a 9,000m2 duty-free retail space, and food and beverage zones, in addition to 15,000m² Viaduct structure and a separate 9,000m² Central Utilities Complex, a 4,500m² Emergency Response Station, a 1,500m² Super Gate, and 200,000m² of Multi-storey Car Parks with 7,000 new parking spaces. Other new airside infrastructure for maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities, including a new dedicated maintenance hangar, a taxiway, and new aprons are also developed.
The Terminal Building consists of two arrivals halls on the ground and first floor with a combined size of over 5,000 m², eight baggage reclaim conveyor belts, a 4600 m² departure hall with 108 check-in counters, and 24 gates. Passenger facilities will include 7000 car parking spaces and a 10, 000 m² duty-free shopping area, including a 1000 m² duty-free shop in the arrival hall. Also, the premium class passenger lounge in the new terminal is around two and a half times the size of the lounge at the former terminal.
Heart of the Project
The central space of the new BIA terminal is a literal translation of the design concept. It is a naturally lit atrium owning a huge screen catching the attention of all users, showcasing Bahrain’s events and accomplishments accompanied by soothing music. The flooring was carefully selected to complement the concept of feeling regional. The blue and beige colors of the Highline Carré carpet tiles create a harmonious beach ambiance around the screen to emphasize the coastlines and beaches of the Island Kingdom. This spectacular central area is a discernable treat to the passengers.
Experiential Design, Interior Design and Wayfinding
In addition to reflecting the Kingdom’s rich history and achievements in the new BIA terminal, ADP Ingénierie focused on the user experience. The interior design concept was based on creating a memorable journey through the terminal and it is certain that a journey starts with the magnificent entrance portal. ADP Ingénierie designed a series of gateways and portals as a part of the journey through the terminal, that create an awe and mark a transition from one space to the other. More often, these portals were a modern interpretation of the traditional Bahraini arches and gates. Also, other architectural elements were crafted with the region in mind, from the large wooden cylinders which were inspired by the local basket weaving heritage to the featured baffle ceiling creating a feeling of the ocean waves.
ADP Ingénierie has designed different spaces in the airport with a different ambiance, different color palettes and different materials as certain spaces in the terminal are more demanding than others, for instance, check-ins, and security are more demanding than lounges, and duty-free spaces. In the arrival area, the warm and sand-toned color of the Tide carpet design from Industrial Landscape by Tom Dixon introduces the Kingdom of Bahrain as a magnificent sandy desert with its dry surface sculpted by the warm wind to the passengers while the departure areas fitted with the Nuages design from Atelier by Monsieur Christian Lacroix structured around a chromatic system with colors ranging from beige to blue or magenta which symbolizes the take-off from the earth to the sky.
Conundrums Faced in the Project Realization
The major challenge was the fact that this new terminal was a modernization and expansion project, not a completely new project, which required the construction to happen without distracting the arrival and departure of the flights from the existing terminal. Secondly, considering the scale of the project, multiple contractors and consultants were engaged in the business, implying that precise and effective communication and coordination between them is of prime importance.
ATTEC as the structural designer of concourse structures, fixed bridges, and co-designer of the terminal with OSM Engineering designed the concourse and the terminal with reinforced concrete structures and coordinated steel roof with steel designers in this project. Also, the overall structural behavior and connections for TAV-Arabtec and the steel roof framing connections, designed by Cakit Engineering, with all concrete substructures were inspected by ATTEC.
Foundation; A Challenging Task
The project consisted of the design and construction of 5,469 cast-in-place Bored Piles ranging from 500mm to 1050mm in diameter and 20m to 24m in length. The main trial was to install the piles on a restricted site without disrupting any of the radar and the arrival and departure flights while working in and around the terminal. Moreover, other subcontractors had to locate and redirect unmarked underground services for piling areas. Keller’s alternate design with varying diameters and shorter lengths successfully passed the preliminary pile load tests which was later adopted for the benefits of low cost and prompt completion.
Sustainability at the core
BIA has achieved LEED Gold Certification with the use of sustainable design solutions, local and recycled materials, and automation technology. BIA’s skylight strategy is an effective method for reducing the need for artificial lighting, while simultaneously creating a soothing ambiance. The double glazing serves as a barrier against outside heat, contributing to a comfortable indoor environment. Additionally, the new terminal incorporates energy-efficient LED lighting and occupancy sensors, leading to a notable 25% reduction in energy consumption.
Almost over one-fifth of the total net worth of building materials used, has been manufactured using recycled materials. The carpet that has been installed in the BIA terminal is an exemplary demonstration of environmental sustainability as this particular carpet is constructed from regenerated yarn. Almost one-fourth of the total building materials in terms of value include materials and products that have been manufactured and extracted within 500 miles of the project site. The landscaping and irrigation systems also have been designed to reduce potable water consumption for irrigation by 100% and the total water used for irrigation by 51.62%. The new BIA terminal is a commendable example of a sustainable project that encompasses the three pillars of sustainability – environmental, social, and economic.
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