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Debrecen – Airport design competition

Project details »

The design competition called for a harmonious unity of buildings with different functionalities. Accordingly, designs for a terminal building, Pier and VIP building complexes, hangars and training base buildings, as well as other service halls were drawn up, for which the designers drew inspiration from the landscape and nature of the lowlands and the bird life of the Hortobágy.

It has been a long-standing ambition to take some of the burden off Liszt Ferenc International Airport and to establish a civil airport in Hungary outside Budapest. Debrecen has become a priority city for this initiative, thanks to its existing airport and its status as a regional centre. The future airport is a unique meeting point that will further strengthen Debrecen’s upward economic growth.

To create the vision, the Debrecen municipality has launched a design competition. It was expected that the new airport terminal would be an important community space: a cultural and event space at the same time. In the call for proposals, they were looking for possible solutions to the idea of “the future of travel”, and also wanted to focus on the user experience of visitors, while taking into account functional and security needs. It was also expected that the passenger spaces would be connected in a way analogous to the structure of urban spaces, and that the landscape architecture elements that provide the dominant experience would be reflected in the designs submitted.

The design competition called for a harmonious unity of buildings with different functionalities. Accordingly, designs for a terminal building, Pier and VIP building complexes, hangars and training base buildings, as well as other service halls were drawn up, for which the designers drew inspiration from the landscape and nature of the lowlands and the bird life of the Hortobágy. The symbolism of wildlife can be seen in the design of the roof structure, which mimics the wings of cranes and is achieved by a curved cantilevered arch to express the lightness of flight. The floating effect also evokes another natural wonder of the Hortobágy, the mirage phenomenon, which is further enhanced by the transparency of the large glass surfaces.

The articulation of the large glass façades and the movement of people in the transparent halls suggest a vibrant mirage, amplified by the lights inside. The combination of transparency and solid concrete elements enhances the sense of security and comfort of visitors. The concept was designed to create a spatial relationship between the interior and exterior spaces that provides a seamless visual experience with interlocking landscape elements. Rather than the strict separation and compartmentalisation of traditional airport functions, transparency is used to enhance the sense of passenger safety and simplify pre-flight security processes. This organizing principle is embodied in the glass wall of the passenger lounge (arrivals and departures), so that travellers can see their loved ones even after they have passed through security. Connected to the atrium are rooftop terraces that provide space for small events, concerts and performances.

The proximity to nature is further enhanced by the integration of plants in all areas of the building complex: the view evokes the grassy, flowery flora of the Hortobágy, reflecting the unique interior surface and colouring of the roof, which recalls the structure of thatched roofs. The designers have sought to use primarily Hungarian materials throughout the building, so these roofs would also be clad with ceramic tiles made in Hungary.

The visualization of the design was greatly assisted by DVM Visual team, who consistently depicted and brought to life the designers’ dreams.

Size

26.400 sqm

Provided service