Santiago Calatrava - Sondika Airport

Santiago Calatrava
Sondika Airport
Bilbao, Spain

With his design, that is both visually striking and structurally daring, Calatrava puts the joy back into contemporary travel.

Photo: arcspace

The steel and concrete structure , nicknamed La Paloma (the Dove) because of its resemblance to a giant bird about to take flight, is integrated into the hilly green landscape in the Txoriherri Valley in close proximity to Bilbao.
The aluminium skin of the Central Terminal sweeps across the 140 meter long terminal entry, providing cover for multiple levels of arrival and departure.

Photo: arcspace

The passengers reach the aircrafts by way of the Departure Hall, a soaring structure awash with daylight, and the four-storey Departure Gallery beyond that connects to the concourse,an aluminium wing reminiscent of an aircraft skin, that contain twelve passenger terminal gates.

Photo: arcspace

The Departure Hall, with its ribbed concrete wings, is clear of visual clutter. Struts and wires cast changing patterns of striated shadows on the walls and granite floor.

Photo: arcspace

The layout was designed to limit the impact of auxiliary buildings on the vista of the main building. An elegant four-storey parking structure, with a skylit walkway leading to the Terminal Building, is tucked into a grassy embankment.

Photo: arcspace

Sondika Bilbao Airport, designed by Santiago Calatrava, opened to traffic on November 19, 2000.

Drawing courtesy Santiago Calatrava
Site Plan

Drawing courtesy Santiago Calatrava
Ground Level Plan

Drawing courtesy Santiago Calatrava
West Elevation

Drawing courtesy Santiago Calatrava
Section

Client: Aeropuertes Nacionales de Bilbao

Calatrava also designed the Bilbao Zubi Zuri, or "white bridge," over the Nervion River, that links a rundown but rejuvenating commercial area with an elegant residential neighborhood. The glass deck is illuminated from the underside at night.

Photo: arcspace

June 10, 2002

Calatrava arcspace features





				Features
		Santiago Calatrava Sondika Airport Bilbao, Spain With his design, that is both visually striking and structurally daring, Calatrava puts the joy back into contemporary travel. Photo: arcspace The steel and concrete structure , nicknamed La Paloma (the Dove) because of its resemblance to a giant bird about to take flight, is integrated into the hilly green landscape in the Txoriherri Valley in close proximity to Bilbao. The aluminium skin of the Central Terminal sweeps across the 140 meter long terminal entry, providing cover for multiple levels of arrival and departure. Photo: arcspace Photo: arcspace The passengers reach the aircrafts by way of the Departure Hall, a soaring structure awash with daylight, and the four-storey Departure Gallery beyond that connects to the concourse,an aluminium wing reminiscent of an aircraft skin, that contain twelve passenger terminal gates. Photo: arcspace Photo: arcspace Photo: arcspace Photo: arcspace The Departure Hall, with its ribbed concrete wings, is clear of visual clutter. Struts and wires cast changing patterns of striated shadows on the walls and granite floor. Photo: arcspace Photo: arcspace The layout was designed to limit the impact of auxiliary buildings on the vista of the main building. An elegant four-storey parking structure, with a skylit walkway leading to the Terminal Building, is tucked into a grassy embankment. Photo: arcspace Photo: arcspace Photo: arcspace Photo: arcspace Sondika Bilbao Airport, designed by Santiago Calatrava, opened to traffic on November 19, 2000. Drawing courtesy Santiago Calatrava Site Plan Drawing courtesy Santiago Calatrava Ground Level Plan Drawing courtesy Santiago Calatrava West Elevation Drawing courtesy Santiago Calatrava Section Client: Aeropuertes Nacionales de Bilbao Calatrava also designed the Bilbao Zubi Zuri, or "white bridge," over the Nervion River, that links a rundown but rejuvenating commercial area with an elegant residential neighborhood. The glass deck is illuminated from the underside at night. Photo: arcspace June 10, 2002 Calatrava arcspace features