Barcelona airport was the subject of a major remodelling to go from six million passengers a year to approximately twelve million, also doubling the aircraft parking capacity. The project included the installation of twelve telescopic gangways for direct boarding of aircrafts. The solution adopted takes into account the configuration of the airfield and specifically of the platform, narrow and elongated, which had to be extended. The terminal building was designed in line, taking advantage of a large part of the existing structure, with four modular piers in the shape of a triangle that minimally penetrate the platform allowing better use of it. This linear solution, determined also by the situation of the Cargo Terminal and the technical building, is reinforced with an element that emphasises this linearity: an elevated pedestrian street that groups the modular elements, serves as a separation between the ground sides and air and allows easy separation between national and international passage. The international passage will use a building relatively separate from the rest of the facilities. One of the triangular modules is intended especially for the air bridge with Madrid.
The airport's modular design allowed it to be remodelled in phases, as it could not interrupt its operation at any time. A new façade was created, which represents a fully glazed image of the boarding modules and the elevated street. Waiting passengers can enjoy the spectacle of the planes taking off and landing from a privileged position. The triangular modules have another waiting room on the ground floor, intended for those passengers who must board, via the bus, aircraft located in remote positions. The elevated street, backbone of the airport, is an element of communication between the entire establishment.
While access from the street to the planes can be done in a minimal route, the elevated street, inspired by the Rambles in Barcelona, allows waiting passengers to stroll and enjoy the different atmospheres of the same in its different sections. The passenger has access to the terminal buildings at ground level, with a direct connection to the car park and circulation roads protected by large roofs. Check-in and baggage collection takes place on the ground floor and the connection between floors is made by stairs, escalators and lifts. The rapid evolution of air technology will soon cause new remodelling in all the airports of the world, although this should not minimise the study of their architectural design, an important factor for the comfort of passengers and the image of the city.
