Designed by CallisonRTK, the new biophilic design for Guadalajara Airport Terminal 2 will be a 30 gate, 1.2 million-sf terminal that places the passenger experience at the center of the design.
Once completed, the new airport will be the country’s second-largest city after Mexico City and will be one of the first net-zero airports in the world.
CallisonRTKL designed the project as an addition to the airport’s existing terminal building to cater to a new taxiway and runway.
The architects are centering passenger experience at the center of the design.
By monitoring the most stressful parts of travel (such as ticketing and security), designers are strategically including stress-relieving design elements, like biophilic plant features, to ease the commute.
Inspiration for the terminal design is rooted in the flight of the Mexican Eagle and features such as canyon-like ceilings and agave-inspired structural elements pay homage to the surrounding area.
The facility will include landscaping that is continued from the exterior into the interior of the space.
The project, which is being designed from the ground up, will include biophilic plant features, a spa, a gym, prayer and meditation rooms, and local art.
Local Mexican culture was a key design element for the project, with CallisonRTKL attempting to tell a tale of regionalism through a concept dubbed “The Soul of Guadalajara.
“Beautiful rich canyons considered biogeographic corridors are home to many types of vegetation that are unique to the region,” states designers from CallisonRTKL.
“Our inspiration comes from the vast yet beautiful fields of Agave a genus of monocots native to the hot and arid regions of the Americas.”
Two local art galleries will also be included that showcase a variety of art from abstractions to interactive media.
“It’s important to us that the airport reflects the culture of its destination from departures to arrivals,” said Liliana Bernardis, Senior Associate in CRTKL’s Mexico City office.
“We want passengers to feel entrenched in local art and landscaping every step of the way.”
Perhaps most importantly, CallisonRTKL is striving to make Guadalajara one of the first net-zero airports in the world. With research-backed, sustainable design strategies like solar energy harvest points and the roof’s mechanical cooling systems, designers plan to reduce the airport’s energy use by 60% and its carbon footprint by over 90%.
In order to reach this lofty goal, the terminal design includes research-backed, sustainable design strategies like solar energy harvest points, improved daylighting, insulation, glare control, shading, natural ventilation combined with economizer cooling, high-performance mechanical systems, and building management systems.
The design will reduce the airport’s energy use by 60% and its carbon footprint by over 90% – the proposed terminal would emit only 2,814 metric tons of CO2 each year.
“We’re incredibly excited about transforming the Guadalajara airport into a space that reflects and celebrates Mexican culture while remaining environmentally friendly,” states Kap Malik, Vice President in CRTKL’s Los Angeles office.
“Our aviation design team has a strong vision for this space, and we are excited to break ground on the project.”
Project: Guadalajara Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport Terminal 2
Architects: CallisonRTKL
Client: Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP)
