Transit Architecture Time for a Drastic Change

Special Feature
User-Driven
Airport Design
The change in the aspirations of the users has brought about a huge transition in the design
of airports, wherein apart from regular travel, a host of other activities have been added to the
premise. Also, technological advances that root for a seamless experience for the users with
efficient utilisation of space.
Nida Chikte
Passengers spend ample amount of time at the airport,
and although after a while, almost all terminals begin
to resemble each other, several basic designs have
evolved over time.
These evolutions came about in response to the increasing
number of passengers, and, additionally due to the increase in the
size of airplanes which was also a driving factor to draw more
passengers to air travel.
This clearly denotes that the transitions are majorly dependant
on the users. Hence, it is a given that with gradual shifts in these
spheres, airport design and functioning is bound to change.
Though most of the airport designs are based on or are inspired
from designs of the past century to some extent, designers are
striving to create modern environments that are in tandem with
the needs and aspirations of the modern traveller, while also
keeping in mind the institutional requirements for safety and
security.
SPACES AND EXPERIENCES
Airport designers and architects today are facing challenges in
different aspects of designing, from replacing legacy facilities to
offering the best in aesthetics and user experience. But, due to
limited space, they are often left with minimal options to work
out an efficient circulation pattern that focuses not only on
passenger flow but also better functioning of the space.
Photo Credit: Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai
24 Architecture Update February 2018