Foster + Partners is working on an expansion to the Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan that includes a whole host of sustainable features. Inspired by palm trees, the roof will be made up of photovoltaic canopies that shield it from the sun while generating renewable energy and allowing for natural ventilation.
Foster + Partners‘ expansion is designed around the existing runway and will add a new terminal building big enough to be able to handle three times as much traffic as it does now. With many open-air gardens and naturally ventilated courtyards, air can easily circulate underneath the canopies to cool the interiors. Light will pour through the spaces in between the canopies and pools of water will reflect incoming light onto the ceiling while providing a comfortable microclimate. The roof canopy will also act as thermal storage to both heat and cool the building and it will also collect rainwater and night time condensation. Lastly, a bank of photovoltaic panels will be mounted on the roof to generate electricity.
The expansion will allow the airport, which is located about 20 miles south of Amman, to handle about 9 million passengers a year. Work started on the expansion back in 2005 and is expected to be completed sometime in 2011.
+ Foster + Partners
Via Ecofriend and Travel With Frank Gehry
I think projects like these deserve to be praised more. Good use of resources and saving the planet at the same time.
Well.. That’s very nice, I work in Queen Alia International Airport, and I never knew that they had all that in mind! I’m really very impressed! Anyway, you said that the airport is expected to be done in 2011! Well.. the thing is that rumors have it, in the airport, that the The new QAIA by AIG won’t be finished until 2014!!
Thank you very much for this article, it made me look at the whole thing from a different angle!!
of course all new buildings should be energy efficient and include renewable energy, this is a great thing.
but an airport used as an example of “saving the planet”? um, emissions from air traffic growth is contributing to climate change — increasing airport capacity is not something we should be doing.
i’m afraid this seems like a case of trying to make something that is inherently unsustainable and damaging to the environment appear “green”.
Jordan is a Fast growing Country, their vision to the future will be pay off eventually.
A country that lacks of oil and natural resources but still tries and manages to stand on it’s two feet is by far a source of inspiration.
Regarding to the previous comment!, air traffic does cause a huge environmental impact. but never the less a country as fast growing as Jordan needs to handle these passengers. RJ is waiting for a big boeing airplanes order and the extra space is required. photovoltaic panels are very efficient and easy to maintain “Keeping in mind these panels can be costly to repair and to keep up to date since technology is moving fast in this field”. fingers crossed that every thing has gone according to plan and no delays has accord in this huge project.
Regards
Bader
If people could ‘slow’ their demands on themselves we could do
without so many flights using, instead, more efficient travel
like ships ..
maybe even blimps that stay aloft without power.
That’s besides the point.
The demands people put on ‘instant’ is what’s costing the planet
its resources.
If we’re all ‘aware’ then someone else might be able to enjoy
what you aren’t and you enjoy what they aren’t and no travel
needed.
Get it?