Rafael Vinoly

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31JAN 2012

Carrasco International Airport / Rafael Vinoly

Posted in Architecture - Infrastructure by Rafael Vinoly | Tags: Uruguay

Carrasco International Airport, officially known as “Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco General Cesareo L.

Berisso,” is located 11 miles (18 kilometers) east of downtown Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay. With one million passengers per year, it is one of only two airports in the country that provide year- round international connections, and as a result carries great symbolic value as the “front door” for many visitors.

The gentle curve and low profile of the monolithic roof help integrate the building into its site as well as providing a canopy over the access roads on one side of the building, and opening up wide views to the runway on the opposite side. The departures level is one large volume, in keeping with a long tradition of grand transportation halls.

The glazing on all four sides and the thin structural supports allow the roof to float above the building.

A grid of round skylights provides additional natural daylighting. Arrivals and departures are separated vertically for efficient circulation and security reasons.

The atrium adjacent to the street entrance visually and spatially links these two stages of a traveler’s journey, opening the ground floor to the monumental space of the main hall. A public, landscaped terrace occupies the second floor above the departure level, providing views of the runway and the main public concourse.

It also features a restaurant and additional space for other commercial or cultural uses.

After completing check-in and security procedures, departing travelers have access to duty-free shopping and restaurants in the waiting areas. Arriving travelers pass through a mezzanine level, fully glazed to allow terminal and runway views that help orient newcomers to the terminal space, before descending to the baggage claim, customs, immigration, and further duty-free shopping areas.

An open atrium adjacent to the street entrance visually and spatially links the beginning and ending stages of a traveler’s journey, and opens the ground floor to the monumental space of the main hall..

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