Regional airports in Australia provide important communication lifelines for country, outback and remote communities. They are also the gateway markers for arrival and our clients want to imbue the projects with a specific place significance. We achieve this by responding both to the 'genus loci' and through engagement with the client and stakeholders in a collaborative design process. We then simplify the complexity of the programme and client requirements into a coherent unified architectural expression.
Port Lincoln Airport is located adjacent the Lincoln Highway approximately 14km from the centre of Port Lincoln and approximately 250km from the state capital Adelaide - a one hour flight. The airport has 20 departure and arrival flights operating 10 services per day. This is based on a SAAB 340 (34 seats) and a Q-400 (74 seats) operating simultaneously for arrivals and departures. Loading factors of 85% have been applied to passenger loads with ‘meeters & greeters’ and
‘farewellers’ accounting for one in every five passengers (20%).
This totals 220 patrons (excluding staff) within the terminal during the busy hour.
The design responds to the simple, natural beauty of the Lower Eyre Peninsula Region. The concept draws on undulating lines of the coast, sand dunes and agricultural plains. This is reflected in the curved exposed pavilion style roofline that stretches over the building.