At Florence, Italy’s Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci, the new international airport terminal will feature a fully operating vineyard on the facility’s rooftop. Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, the terminal is expected to see over 5.9 million passengers annually. Renderings for the project have recently been released.
The 538,195-sf terminal project will involve both lengthening the existing runway and reorienting it 90 degrees away from the nearby hills, which have limited the operations of many modern planes.
The airport design aims to create a sense of place and improve the passenger experience. In the skylit terminal, arrivals and departures will face each other across a large, central public space, the Piazza. This organization will help streamline circulation into and out of the terminal.
In addition, the terminal will provide access to mass transit, parking, and retail, which will serve both travelers and the local community. The terminal will be connected to the city and the wider region by multimodal transport options, including a new light rail system.
A distinctive feature of the project is a 19-acre vineyard rising above the terminal. This will include 38 active vineyard rows on the building’s sloping roof—contributing to LEED Platinum sustainability rating and representing Italy’s winemaking tradition. A leading winegrower from the region will cultivate the vineyards, and the wine will be crafted and aged in special cellars located beneath the terminal’s roof.
The airport terminal will be completed in two phases: Phase one is expected to be finished in 2026, phase two in 2035.
On the Building Team:
Owner: Toscana Aeroporti SpA
Design architect and architect of record: Rafael Viñoly Architects
MEP engineer: Tekne SpA
Structural engineer: Eckersley O’Callaghan (EOC)
General contractor: Toscana Aeroporti Construction (TAC)
Related Stories
Airports | Jul 8, 2022
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport’s new terminal prioritizes passenger experience and sustainability
McCarthy Building Companies recently completed construction of the final concourse in Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Airports | Jul 7, 2022
Love at first flight: The power of first impressions in airports
As architects, how we design a terminal and choreograph the passenger experience can stir up strong feelings.
Airports | Jun 29, 2022
BIG and HOK’s winning design for Zurich airport’s new terminal
Two years ago, Zurich Airport, which opened in the 1950s, launched an international design competition to replace the aging Dock A—the airport’s largest dock.
Airports | Jun 2, 2022
SOM-designed International Arrival Facility at Seattle’s Sea–Tac airport features the world’s largest aerial walkway
The Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)-designed International Arrivals Facility (IAF) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has opened, replacing a 50-year-old arrival facility.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | May 3, 2022
For glass openings, how big is too big?
Advances in glazing materials and glass building systems offer a seemingly unlimited horizon for not only glass performance, but also for the size and extent of these light, transparent forms. Both for enclosures and for indoor environments, novel products and assemblies allow for more glass and less opaque structure—often in places that previously limited their use.
Airports | Apr 4, 2022
Dominican Republic airport expansion will add mixed-use features
The recently revealed design concept for the expansion of Santiago International Airport in the Dominican Republic includes a transformation of the current building into a mixed-use space that features an office park, business center, and hotel.
Codes and Standards | Mar 4, 2022
FAA offers $1 billion in grants for airport terminal and tower projects
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now accepting applications for about $1 billion in grants for airport projects during fiscal year 2022.
Resiliency | Feb 15, 2022
Design strategies for resilient buildings
LEO A DALY's National Director of Engineering Kim Cowman takes a building-level look at resilient design.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022
Blast Hazard Mitigation: Building Openings for Greater Safety and Security
Coronavirus | Jan 20, 2022
Advances and challenges in improving indoor air quality in commercial buildings
Michael Dreidger, CEO of IAQ tech startup Airsset speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield about how building owners and property managers can improve their buildings' air quality.
