The development project for Barcelona airport, designed to accommodate up to 55 million passengers, features a new satellite terminal connected to T1 through a people mover. This ambitious project started from a detailed analysis of the constraints defining the intervention area, leading to the creation of a terminal that faces both T1, T2, and the sea, with dimensions optimized to allow for future expansion.
The design draws inspiration from the iconic elements that make Barcelona unique. The result is a harmonious covering with sinuous shapes reminiscent of the Catalan Boveda, giving the terminal a strong identity and character. Spread across four levels above ground and two below, the building is conceived as an efficient and rational structure with a clear spatial progression for passengers upon arrival and departure.
A flexible distribution system allows each gate to serve either Schengen or non-Schengen flights depending on daily traffic peaks. On the first floor, departing passengers flow from a large central, triple-height space to the spacious, comfortable boarding gates arranged along the two wings.
The external envelope has been carefully designed to respond to local climatic and environmental conditions, ensuring optimal comfort for passengers and staff alike. After disembarking from the people mover, passengers embark on an experiential journey through the terminal, starting from the central hub, which is conceived as a bustling Spanish square, complete with shops, food courts, and services.
Natural light floods the space, guiding passengers on a seamless and intuitive journey to the boarding gates. The soft waves of the modular roof structure create a fluid and dynamic atmosphere, supported only at the lateral points, further enhancing the open feeling. Large windows eliminate the boundary between interior and exterior, offering continuous visual contact with the surrounding environment.
The project was envisioned to become an iconic and vibrant new terminal for a city deeply rooted in history yet firmly looking toward the future. We proudly won the competition for this landmark development; however, the project has unfortunately been halted.