With a target to be an energy positive building, maximising use of natural light and minimising energy consumption by artificial light was a primary driver in the lighting design.
Client Aéroport de Genève | Date 2013-2022 |
Architect RSHP | Co-Architect Atelier Jacques Bugna SA |
Structural Engineer Ingérop & T-Ingénierie SA | Project Team Mark Major, Iain Ruxton, Dave Morris |
The Aile Est (East Wing) is a new extension to Geneva Airport. The 520 metre long, 7-gate pier places the passenger experience as the top priority – emphasising quality of space, natural light, and maximum transparency, alongside addressing environmental concerns.
Having extensive experience in airport projects across the globe, we were invited to design the lighting for this high-profile European project by architects RSHP, with whom we have a long-term history of successful collaboration, including working on Terminal 5, Heathrow and Barajas International Airport, Madrid
With a target to be an energy positive building, maximising use of natural light and minimising energy consumption by artificial light was a primary driver in the lighting design.
We undertook extensive daylight analysis, verifying that the levels achieved throughout the spaces and across the year would allow for much of the artificial lighting to remain off during daylight hours. Meeting the stringent energy targets also necessitated using highly efficient direct light for the bulk of the artificial lighting, while the floor finishes are kept pale, generating interreflections onto the ceiling planes that keep the spaces feeling light and bright after dark.
Given the constraint of a largely direct lighting scheme, our designers focused their creativity on the application of fixtures across the varying volumes, ceiling heights and ceiling constructions.
On the main concourses, colour is applied to chilled beam ceilings, upholstery, lift car glass interiors, and stair structures changes every 80m to assist with orientation and add character. This colour is also applied to selected façade glass panels, which have been lit externally to create a bold graphic effect.
This colour is also applied to selected façade glass panels, which have been lit externally to create a bold graphic effect.