Airport Traffic Control Tower in Turkey by RMJM Group

Article source: RMJM Group

Bird – Spirit of the Tower

An air traffic control tower is the absolute symbol of aviation industry, of traveling, of welcoming and of wishing good bye. The highest building in the airport is as important as a first impression as any. It signals arrival or departure, safety and a watch over the complicated and definitely not earthly experience of flying. In other words although not a gate in shape it is undoubtedly the metaphor of one.

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

• Architects: RMJM Group
• Project: Airport Traffic Control Tower
• Location:  Turkey

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

The Air Traffic Control Towers around the world are defined from their function and more or less they all end up with an unproportionally large volume on top of a very thin core. Sometimes we see them trying to break their geometry but always remain solid guardians of the passengers and the crews with clear and always recognizable form.

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

We believe that in this specific site, in this specific location and this specific airport the spirit of the ‘watchtower’ can extend itself and become a symbol of warmth, of technology and a clear declaration that this is not only the largest but also the most welcoming airport in the world.

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

The fluidity of the flying is expressed on the aerodynamic form of the structure that stops being a building and becomes an object. The object barely touches the ground. The neck extends to the highest level and the 360 degrees eyes watch, control and direct the perpetual aerial movement of airplanes and people.

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

Pottery – Body of the Tower

The main body of the structure is more molded than sculpted, the way the curves evolve on the neck and complete themselves on the top are a reminder of Turkey’s pottery are, do represent the art of creating and open the object to different translations. The pot is a container of life, a protector of the valuables and a conservatory of the fragile. The walls of the pot are also the structure that holds it together as well as the insulation that protects it. The concept is that the body of the tower will not anymore be prisoner to the column and will break the conventional structure values by using an exoskeleton to hold and contain.

The body of ATC is the structure, the shape is it’s reality and it is what holds it together.

The architectural truth of the building is exactly what we see.

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

Loom – Skin of the Tower

The last element we decided to involve in the design is the detail of a loom. As a reference to the huge textile heritage of Turkey the woven skin is added to the object.  Delicate horizontal louvers allow full visibility in the lower floors and open up where large public spaces exist. At the same time they protect from the direct sunlight. This transparent skin also generates a parallel effect that has to do with the reaction of the ATC in time. During day the tower is purely white with obvious delicate details protecting it from the sun, the onlooker cannot see inside the activity. During night time the internal illumination is expressed on the skin and the constant 24h activity of the Tower is ‘written’ on the skin. Positive and Negative unite on the façade.

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

Summary

Spirit of flying, body of molding and skin of expression are the three architectural metaphors that create this ‘container and protector of life’. It is clear to us that this project has to be unique; this is the flag that will be raised to symbolize the new, vibrant, global Turkey. As witnesses to this amazing transformation we aspire this building to be far more than an ATC Tower, we are designing thinking of a new symbol for this country, the pinnacle of the landmark airport and above all the “Welcome to Turkey” moment.

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

About RMJM Group

Founded by Sir Robert Matthew and Stirrat Johnson-Marshall in 1956, RMJM Group is one of the largest most geographically and culturally diverse architecture firms in the world. With studios across five continents and more than 2,000 architects who collectively represent 56 nationalities and speak more than 40 languages, the RMJM Group is a family of architecture studios who share knowledge, expertise and design talent, who work together to solve design problems and who are focused on consistently adding world class projects to an ever-expanding portfolio.

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Whilst RMJM approaches its 60th anniversary in the UK in 2016, it is also proud to have had studios in the Middle East and the United States for more than 40 years and throughout Asia for more than 30 years. More recently RMJM Studios have been established in Africa and South & Central America.

The RMJM collective aims to build a strong and lasting presence and experience in each market it works in, in order to deliver the highest quality architecture in a global marketplace.

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

Image Courtesy © RMJM Group

Tags: Turkey

Categories: Control Centre, Tower

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 15th, 2016 at 7:30 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.