An extraordinary project in terms of size and complexity

The airport was built in stages with progressive extensions that engaged the Permasteelisa Group in the execution of multi-scale works, relating to the architectural envelope of the entire hub, and in the creation and fit-out of certain parts of the interiors, lounges and some boutiques that characterize the extensive spaces of this ‘city within a city’. The building structure has changed shape over time, starting from the iconic façade of the Main Terminal Building (MTB), which houses Concourses A and B, through to the subsequent extensions to the central spine of Concourse C and the North Node, with side Concourses D and E.

‘Phase I’ involved the design, supply and installation of architecturally exposed steelwork to support the unitized curtain wall and all parts of the exterior unitized curtain wall for the MTB (south, west and east façades), Concourse A and Concourse B. ‘Phase I - Expansion’ plan focused on expanding the airport with the addition of bus and taxi pavilions, the Vertical Circulation Node (VCN) east and west Saddle Bag areas built specifically to accommodate premium lounges and the east and west IBF areas. Works included the design, supply and installation of architecturally exposed steelwork (2,431 t / over 5.4 million lb) to support the unitized curtain wall (11,400 units) and all parts of the exterior unitized curtain wall, including an exterior sunshading system for the east and west ‘saddle bags’ and exterior cladding for a total area of over 110,000 sqm (1.2 million sq ft). 

‘Phase II’ involved the design, supply and installation of architecturally exposed steelwork (1,058 t / 2.3 million lb) to support the unitized curtain wall, all parts of the exterior unitized curtain wall (3,789 units) and louvers for Concourse C, covering an overall area of 36,700 sqm (395,000 sq ft). Concourse C features an exterior sunshading system that was added to the outside of the curtain wall. ‘Phase III’ focused on the North Node extension with 51,000 sqm (549,000 sq ft) of exterior curtain wall (3,478 units), 903 t (2 million lb) of architecturally exposed steelwork, aluminum composite panel cladding and aluminum louvers for Concourses D and E.

Work on the interiors began in 2010, with the awarding of the contract for the execution of numerous and diversified works inside the MTB and subsequently Concourse C. The intervention areas specifically involved the design, supply and installation on the MTB of different glazed features such as feature walls, interior façades, portions of cladding and special works such as security screens, glass waterfalls, glazed cladding of panoramic elevators, the glass of the indoor garden courts and the roofs of the office bridge and spa bridge for a total surface area of 11,000 sqm (118,400 sq ft). The second package awarded was the interior glazing contract for Concourse C which involved the construction of 1.25 m (4.10 ft) high glazed balustrades, 2.5 m (8.2 ft) high glazed security screens, elevators, stairs and gate cladding for an area of approximately 14,500 sqm (156,000 sq ft), including decorative glass fins for a total surface of 3,000 sqm (32,300 sq ft). In addition, 615 t (1.36 million lb) of stainless steel for the security screens and balustrades and 100 t (220,462 lb) of structural steel were provided and installed. The activities of this phase were particularly challenging and included the design of the high glazed balustrades and security screens, and the installation of decorative glass fins for a length of 1 km (0.6 mi) in Concourse C. The third contract consisted of the engineering, supply and installation of a vast array of high-end airport counters - about 1,400 - and millworks ranging from big retail kiosks to interior accessories and special cabinets, immigration and passport control booths, information desks, cupboards as well as online check-in counters, and free-standing phone and internet kiosks. A very challenging contract - due to the many different works, the accentuated curves of many elements and the level of finish required to meet the requested standards - that included the production of individual mockups for each element, a practically handcrafted process, and the use of a wide range of prized materials, such as Italian natural Corian stone for a total area of 660 sqm (7,100 sq ft), 230 t (over 507,000 lb) of stainless steel, 30 t (over 66,000 lb)  of steel, 2,000 sqm (21,500 sq ft) of glass and more than 21,000 sqm (226,000 sq ft) of wood.

One of the last contracts awarded with Permasteelisa Group as main contractor involves the execution and complete fit-out of these premium lounges - designed by the Italian architectural firm Citterio-Viel & Partners Interiors - covering a total area of approximately 40,000 sqm (430,600 sq ft). The spaces, dedicated to different lounge programs, consist of a series of environments characterized by their extension and by extremely sophisticated and refined solutions, finishes and materials, results of an accurate and detailed multi-disciplinary work based on the concept of ‘design for all’.