General Aviation Terminal Schiphol in Netherlands by VMX Architects

Article source: VMX Architects

Schiphol’s General Aviation (GA) Terminal is where the private and business flights of Heads of States, members of the Royal Family, CEO’s, pop stars and top football players are handled. As a reaction to the inconvenience of flying today with low-cost airways and long queues, VMX found it’s inspiration in the terminals from the era in which aviation was seen as a pleasure and had a luxurious appeal.

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

• Architects: VMX Architects
• Project: General Aviation Terminal Schiphol
• Location: Thermiekstraat 12, Schiphol Oost
• Architect Design: Don Murphy
• Project manager: Leon Teunissen
• Contributor: Hugo Kok
• Year Design: 2007-2009
• Year Execution – Completion: 2010-2011

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

• Client, city: Schiphol Real Estate, Amsterdam
• Contractor, city: Friso Bouwgroep, Almere
• Structural Engineer, city: Van Rossum Raadgevende Ingenieurs, Amsterdam
• Mechanical, fysical engineering, city: Nelissen Ingenieursburo, Eindhoven
• Gross floor area: 6.000 m2 (terminal, parking and offices)
• Parking places: 42
• Materials: Steel structure, concrete floors Polyester (main building) and metal (canopy) façade cladding. Aluminum window frames

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

When flying on a private plane it should be possible to reach the plane as efficiently as possible, without long queues and excessive security control. VMX has tried to optimise this luxury by allowing the car to enter the middle of the building at the drop-off, with the shortest distance possible to the waiting plane under a large canopy, sheltering the passenger from rain, wind or the paparazzi.

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

As part of the business case, 4.000 m2 of office space was necessary and was created on the first floor of the terminal. The form of the building and the detailing of the enormous canopy protect the passengers not only from the climate but also from the possible indiscretions of office workers. The sloping facades, windows and canopy allow light to come into the offices and direct the view upwards towards the sky, instead of downwards to the arriving passengers.

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

Contrary to the Calvinistic approach in the Netherlands and to the rationalisation of global air travel the building has with it’s silver sequined polyester skin and pink glass deliberately a luxurious feel.

Sun architecture Publishers has published a book about the building (ISBN 9 789461 057457)

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

General Aviation Terminal Schiphol

Tags: Netherlands, Schiphol

Category: Airport

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