Farnborough Airport Terminal

Client TAG Farnborough Project description We won an international design competition to create ‘Europe’s premier Business Aviation facility’ for the newly created TAG Aviation. Drawing upon a reputation for high-quality performance (through association with McLaren Racing) and design (Techniques Avant Garde), the client was explicit about the quality of design for the new facility which would not only provide a terminal and associated operational and maintenance buildings, but also become their headquarters building. TAG Aviation’s clear vision for the future presented us with an inspirational challenge: to develop an architecture that captures the romance, technology and excitement of flight. We set out to create a theatre of aviation, with aircraft as the actors. Careful planning, innovative building and engineering techniques from our partners Buro Happold and the use of a family of materials, produce a coherent, well integrated airport from three functionally diverse buildings of vastly different scales. The building was awarded an RIBA Award in 2006. Innovations & added value The tail-wing inspired terminal building has a dual purpose. Half the building serves as TAG Farnborough’s HQ building and the remainder provides the passenger processing, security and lounge facilities. The plan form derives from the unique way that passengers approach and utilise executive passenger facilities. Many do not even enter the terminal, their limousines driving straight onto the apron to their awaiting jet. Others expect the minimal amount of fuss during passenger processing, hence the narrow journey through the terminal. The internal spaces are dominated by reception and the stairwell leading to offices and meeting spaces on a mezzanine level, with white internal walls punctuated by long panoramic windows, all seeking to tie together the disparate buildings into a single, flowing landscape. This builds upon the theatre of aviation set as a key concept from the initial design stages. Engineering consultancy Buro Happold Status Completed Awards 2006 RIBA Awards – Southern Region (Winner) 2006 Building Awards – Project of the Year (Winner) 2003 Structural Steel Design Awards – Major Scheme (Winner)