Eindhoven Airport expands terminal for optimal passenger experience

Eindhoven Airport will start construction of the terminal expansion at the end of this year. The current terminal is too small for the number of passengers. The expansion will provide the terminal with more gates, and the non-Schengen area will be extended. A new baggage hall with an underground baggage basement will be created, and more space will be made for catering and dining facilities. In short, more passenger comfort. EGM architecten, Peutz and Iv prepared the design. Construction company Heijmans will realise the expansion. Iv played a vital role in the final design of this project, focussing on sustainable solutions. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2027.

Sustainability is key

The expansion will add approximately 10,000 square metres to the current airside (beyond the security checkpoint) terminal. On the landside (before the security checkpoint), the terminal will be extended by 2,000 square metres. The distinctive new entrance will also be located here. The entrance will have a forward-sloping glass façade and an overhanging roof, with the front row of columns outside the building tilting forward. The roof structure is made up of triangles that are visible from below. These architectural elements give the entrance a dynamic and welcoming feel and contribute to the modern and transparent appearance of the terminal.

Sustainability is key to this expansion, emphasises Jeroen Stam, senior project manager at Eindhoven Airport. “Eindhoven Airport is taking responsibility and focusing on significantly reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions from aviation and its buildings and activities. This means building smart and circular, reusing materials and replacing gas with sustainable energy sources. By incorporating the latest sustainability applications into the design, the terminal expansion will contribute to our goal of becoming a zero-emissions, zero-waste airport by 2030.”

The design

Iv was responsible for the technical installation and structural design of this project. In addition to the design of the new part of the terminal, this included adaptations to part of the existing building.

Two heat and cold storage (ATES) units will be used to heat and cool the building. In addition, displacement ventilation will be used to regulate airflow and optimise ventilation in the various areas. Almost 1,100 solar panels will be installed on the terminal’s roof, generating approximately 363,500 kilowatt hours of energy annually. Part of the roof will be covered with sedum plants to help retain water and insulate the terminal building. A water basin in the basement will be used to collect rainwater for flushing toilets in the extended part of the terminal.

An occupancy survey was carried out to understand exactly how the space was being used. In addition, a detailed analysis collected data on the number of passengers, their movement patterns and length of stay. This information was used to develop a thorough understanding of the occupancy of different airport areas. For example, it was possible to identify how many passengers were in the baggage hall at any given time, how long they waited on average for their luggage and how much time they spent in the terminal. As a result, it was possible to determine precisely how much ventilation is needed in each area at any given time. This approach allowed the airport’s air conditioning system to be designed more efficiently, resulting in significant cost savings and energy efficiency.

The structural design included the planning and development of the load-bearing structure of the building, such as the foundation, basement, columns, stability walls and the beam structure supporting the roof of the building. Iv also reviewed the connections to the existing structure and the stability of the structure as a whole was considered in accordance with the applicable standards. Materials such as steel and timber have been used to create structures that can be easily dismantled and reused at the end of the building’s life.

Aesthetic and sustainable ventilation

With a height of approximately 12 metres, the entrance hall and terminal building create a spacious effect. However, this height also presents challenges for the air conditioning system. The entrance hall consists of a metal roof structure with a triangular pattern in which the lighting is integrated, which limits the possibility of installing equipment on the ceiling. Also, the installation of ventilation systems on the ceiling is undesirable from an aesthetic point of view.

Rather than traditional mixed ventilation, whereby air is blown into the area from the ceiling, Iv has developed an installation concept based on at floor level. This provides a controlled airflow, introducing cool air at lower levels while warm air is driven upwards and expelled.

“What I like about the ventilation concept is that we added something that was not directly requested but was indirectly needed. We have really shaped the client’s request”, says Dennis van der Beijl, project leader at Iv.

Dennis was inspired to use displacement ventilation during a stopover at Istanbul Airport. After conducting some research, he concluded that this technology would also be a suitable option for the expansion of Eindhoven Airport. Displacement ventilation places less stress on the roof structure, and less air is needed to condition an area, resulting in smaller, more efficient air conditioning systems and lower energy consumption.

Challenges require creative solutions

In addition to displacement ventilation, the Eindhoven Airport expansion design presented several complex challenges. In particular, the complexity of the structural design around the entrance hall required creative solutions to make it work. The unique shape, a sloping design with glass façades and large spans between the columns made it complex because of the traction forces and the connection between the existing and new parts of the building complex. In addition, there were challenges associated with the timber roof and the triangular structure, as timber behaves differently from steel. Iv used cross-laminated timber (CLT) girders to achieve more uniform material properties for the girders. False girders were used for the non-load-bearing sections to achieve weight savings and a uniform aesthetic appearance.

Despite the airport expansion being an enormous challenge, Eindhoven Airport is making sure that travellers barely notice the work. Jeroen: “Continuity of operations is essential for Eindhoven Airport. The project has been designed with this in mind, allowing the airport to continue operating during the expansion. We have organised the construction entirely on the landside, strictly separated from the passenger handling areas. This is a challenge because of the limited space and having to work very precisely. It’s like building on a postage stamp; everything has to be carefully planned and executed to ensure that passengers experience as little inconvenience as possible.”

 

Engineering that excites

The implementation activities of the terminal expansion will begin at the end of this year. Looking back on the project, Dennis recalls it as a memorable experience. “It was the first project I worked on at Iv. Working on a project involving an airport environment brought a completely different dynamic than working on an office building. The constant activity of planes and military aircraft added an extra dimension to the work. Designing from a logistics perspective was an interesting challenge.”

He also highlights the excellent working relationship with EGM architecten. “In the end, it’s about people working together. Although there will always be challenges, a good click between the people involved makes obstacles easier to overcome. This experience has shown me how crucial good cooperation is for the success of a project, especially in a challenging environment such as an airport.”

Curious about the possibilities for your project?

Ralf, managing director Industry, would be delighted to discuss this with you! Get in touch via +31 88 943 3700 or send a message.

Send Ralf a message
Ralf Ohm