Structural Design of Eindhoven Airport

Eindhoven Airport is undergoing a significant expansion, with the terminal being extended by 12,000 square metres, 2,000 square metres allocated to security screening and 10,000 square metres beyond the security area. The current terminal no longer meets the needs of the nearly 7 million passengers who pass through each year. The expansion will provide considerably more space, comfort and additional facilities for both passengers and visitors. A baggage basement will also be added. Iv is responsible for both the building services engineering and the structural design of the new terminal. The roof of the building features an elegant structural design, composed of beams arranged in triangular formations, which are fully visible from below.

At its highest point, the terminal reaches approximately 14 metres. The roof incorporates 735 cubic metres of timber, with the timber structure consisting of 687 individual elements. The spans are substantial, 15 metres, as open space is required on the first floor of the departures hall to accommodate passenger areas, sightlines and circulation routes. No columns could be placed in these areas, while the columns that are present are large and robust. The structural design also had to account for the construction phasing and the potential for future expansion, while maintaining the visibility of the triangular pattern.

To achieve this, the technical feasibility of the long spans was assessed from an early stage. Beams were strategically positioned across multiple supports. Double beams were used to enable the long spans, with identical beams in single form spanning 15 metres placed in between. A third type of beam, which does not support the roof load, is structurally shallower. The triangular design was applied in a way that is both architecturally striking and structurally efficient and safe. All visible elements below ceiling level share the same width and height, with only the primary load-bearing structure featuring deeper beams located above the ceiling. The structure is also designed to allow future extensions to be connected with minimal intervention.

The result is a structure that represents a technical and visual highlight a clever combination of robustness, sustainability and aesthetics. The expansion of Eindhoven Airport marks an important step towards creating a future-proof and user-friendly airport.