project title

‘the forum’ sydney airport

terminal one

This redevelopment celebrates the joy of travel and expresses

the quality of public spaces. The diversity of activities within the Forum creates a dynamically

integrated space.

the forumThe overall project included:

— Upgrading and provision for more stream-lined check-in facilities.

— A single focussed landside food-court and retailing environment.

— A single point of outbound immigration and security control.

— Provision of premium check and processing facilities.

— A single focussed airside retailing environ-ment featuring a naturally conditioned market style “forum” for the passengers to dwell in.

— Increased airline lounge facilities, all de-signed in line with the parallel programs allowing A380 aircraft provisions.

The project developed over 5 years from commission to commissioning with intense liaison with the client and numerous stakeholders to achieve briefing input and signoffs.

The Forum at Sydney Airport Terminal One defines the travel experience as a civic place of dwelling, where travellers can pause and reflect on their journey. The creation of this space went beyond the design brief requirements, evolving it into the heart of the terminal and producing a signature place of international quality which captures and embodies the light and spaciousness of Sydney. This the key message we wanted to translated to the traveller leaving Sydney.

The Forum is a public space with many different users who are often time-critical.

A number of design strategies were implemented which include: .

— The use of a piazza metaphor for the public Forum space .

— The use of a cloud wall concept to replicate enclosive façade walls .

— The use of food and beverage outlets to activate the vibrancy of the forum space

Each of these strategies maximise the amount of passenger usage of the space thus increasing passenger spend within the terminal. They also utlise value engineered materials which meet the lowest budget benchmarks.

typical floor plan

One of the primary features of the project is the central “forum”. Modeled in a traditional form, the walls were predominantly solid. The design of the ‘cloud walls’ offers a varied surface finish that reflects and refracts the light within the space. The walls are intended to have a cloud-like enclosure feeling the space replicating what would be facades in the piazza model. materials used to achieve this experience are two toned finished compressed fibre cement sheeting, zincalume sheeting, perspex sheeting all set within metal trimming.

As such all materials have been chosen to the highest levels of robustness whilst fulfilling their goals in civic place making. This central form is designed be a public space much like a piazza with a skylight providing controlled natural light and openness. Materials have been chosen for compliance, safety, light reflectivity and sustainability attributes.

Environmentally sustainable design principles are integrated into the design in three key ways: . Controlled use of natural light via the skylight minimises the need for artificial lighting during the daytime . Capturing and retaining rainwater for site usage . The use of displacement/convection air management systems for passenger comfort and reduced energy expenditure. these strategies were developed with the client to provide an optimal design and business outcome focussed on the passenger experience.

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