London Heathrow Airport has unveiled four new airport designs from UK-based architectural practices that bring to life its proposed three-runway expansion program.
Heathrow challenged a number of architects to come up with bold ideas to create a world-class sustainable airport that would deliver innovations in passenger service, integrate local communities and showcase the best of British design.
The airport then selected a shortlist of architects that include Grimshaw, Zaha Hadid, HOK and Benoy. Heathrow is scheduled to select a final concept designer in July 2016.
Barry Weekes, head of design, London Heathrow, said, “From welcoming Concorde to the landmark Terminals 2 and 5, Heathrow has always been at the heart of showcasing the best of British innovation and design.
“The visionary concepts are just the start of a dialogue which will fundamentally redefine what an airport is, how it looks and feels, how it interacts with its environment and an increasingly demanding generation of new passengers and importantly enhancing how it connects with the communities around it. Our ambition for expansion is to transform Heathrow once again – building Britain a value for money global gateway at the forefront of sustainable development and innovative design.”
London Heathrow had been selected as the Airports Commission’s recommended choice for airspace expansion in the UK in 2015, although the British government has postponed final approval pending further investigations into environmental studies.
To view the four shortlisted designs click here.