New Zurich airport dock to be a wooden structure
Flughafen Zürich AG wants to replace its Dock A with a new building. The project competition was won by a planning team led by BIG, HOK and 10:8 Architekten.
After more than 35 years in operation, Dock A at Zurich Airport needs to be replaced. Flughafen Zürich AG held a project competition for the new building, which was won by the "Raumfachwerk" project of a planning team comprising BIG, HOK and 10:8 Architekten. The plan is for the new airport dock to be built largely of wood - a unique feature for a terminal building of this type, according to the airport company.
The roof of the new dock and dock root will be fully used for photovoltaics and will thus cover around two-thirds of the dock's annual electricity requirements. "For Zurich Airport's new Dock A, we have tried to meet the complex global challenge of CO2 reduction with the simplest possible solution: a spatial structure made of solid wood that is structure, spatial experience, architectural design and organizing principle all in one," says Bjarke Ingels, architect, founder and director of the BIG office. The design should embody the cultural and natural elements of Swiss architecture, says Ingels.
In the interior, the quality of stay for passengers is to be increased: In the so-called dock root - as well as in the adjacent Airside Center - new store and catering facilities are planned. There will also be large lounge areas with a view of the apron.
Construction of the new Dock A is scheduled to start in 2030. During construction, the old dock will remain in operation, as around one third of all airport passengers depart or arrive there. Flughafen Zürich AG estimates the investment for the new Dock A, including the new tower and dock root, at around CHF 700 million. (ah)
