l'ARCA - N° 236 May 2008

Topic : Infrastructures and the architecture of globalization

Page : 28 - 33

Tirana International Airport, Rinas
Hintan Associates

In 2004, Tirana International Airport (formerly known as Tirana Airport Partners) were grantd the concession to build, own, operate and transfer the national airport of Albania, delivering in 2007, a piece of modern architecture and airport infrastructure unfamiliar to the people of the Balkans. Tirana International Airport is the national gateway to Alnbania, a country long shrouded in mystery and political isolation, buried in its own brand of communism for more than 40 years.

The involvement of a team of more than 41 nationalities in this project marks the opening up of the country to the rest of Europe.

The airport is also a showcase of cutting edge architecture and airport systems that previously, have only been seen in the West.The airfield of Rinas is sandwiched by hills on its landside and mountains on its airside. The front and back walls of the terminal are fully glazed to capture their views. The Main Terminal Building has a commercial landside piazza and viewing platform, for a capacity of 1.5 million passenger per annum, including baggege unloading areas, outdoor smoking zone and a children's playground.

The dominating frontage of the main terminal building is the result of inverting the conventional appraoch of the section of the building - high landside and a low airside as opposed to a high airside and a low landside. The result is a spectacular view of the entire roof framing from outside in during late afternoon when lighting conditions permit. The trussed zoned roof extends on either side of the building to shelter departure and arrival piazzas, widening the building and making the impresion of a large bi-plane that has just landed.

The arrivals piazza is an urban lifestyle space that will distinguish Tirana from other. Arriving passengers will experience Albanian hospitality immediately at the doorstep in the arrivals piazza. This space has been conceived as a Mediterrancan outdoor space that faces south, and is semi-protected by bistro / café and a viewing platform. The viewing platform is "T" shape on plan, but takes on a three dimensional quality when viewed from below. It stands as a solitary piece of concrete sculpture with inclined columns. Combined with the main airport signage, it has become the focal point of the piazza.

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