Work submitted for the competition
"Best Diploma Architecture".
The target location of the futuristic floating island passenger airport project of the future is the coast of Los Angeles in the United States. LA's main airport, LAX, is located on the coast of the North Pacific Ocean, potentially putting it at risk of sinking in the future as a consequence of global warming. The floating airport terminal island project creates the possibility of relocating or expanding Los Angeles' main airport in the future, without having to buy up land to build new functions and infrastructure, and allows the implementation of new technologies and innovative ideas to improve passenger aviation.
visualization, airport passenger terminal of the future
© Lucja Janik
The entire premise consists of a platform floating on water. A system of runways and taxiways, two passenger terminal buildings connected to each other by communication, air traffic control towers, hangars, warehouses and smaller communication elements are spread on it. The island is connected to the mainland via an underwater tunnel. The floating airport covers an area of 485 hectares, or 65 percent of LAX, with the capacity to handle the same number of passengers. This is possible primarily due to the seamless and seamless layout of the runways, which were placed along the longer sides of the island, connecting them at the ends and crossing them at a central point. This created a centralized layout closed to the circular movement of aircraft, which allows air traffic to be controlled with extreme precision and reduces the risk of collisions. Designing effective communication using as little land area as possible was the most important point of the project.
The 
the entire premise consists of a platform floating on water
© Lucja Janik
The structural basis of the floating island is a composite foundation system made of composite materials, patented by Polish architect and designer Professor Janusz Rębielak. It provides the foundation with buoyancy and stability, even during adverse weather conditions. Inside the slab are equipment and technical rooms, space for storage, maintenance and repair of aircraft. The entire airport establishment is surrounded by a breakwater, a structure that protects it from wave action.
site development plan
© Lucja Janik
The total area of the floating island is 500,000 square meters, while the area of the terminals totals 1.5 million square meters. The airport terminal consists of two buildings that are functionally divided, the T1 terminal building handles arrivals, while the T2 terminal handles passenger departures. It is assumed that the terminal will receive up to 75 million passengers on average per year. The functional layout of the terminal has been centered around the four main pillars of the T-I-M-E system reducing the time of airport procedures, while maintaining the required control and security rules. The plus side of this division is the legibility of functions and streamlining the flow of travelers during an outbreak.
axonometric cross-section
© Lucja Janik
Recent events related to the coronavirus outbreak have primarily affected aviation and international transport. The division of terminal buildings is aimed at isolating passengers, crucial in epidemic situations. Four underground subway lines are also being divided - two will serve only the arrivals terminal, two only the departures terminal, further divided internally into international zones and national zones. The speed of flow is facilitated by a central transportation core with systems of elevators, escalators and walkways, minimizing disorientation in the building and evenly distributing travel time to the various zones. Green observation terraces were designed on the top floor, from which greenery cascades down to the lower floors; an airport hotel was located below them.
interior visualization
© Lucja Janik
The airport of the future uses innovative ecological solutions. Electricity was obtained using solar panels located on the roofs of hangars, while air traffic control towers were equipped with vertical wind turbines. A field of water turbines was placed under the island's plate, converting the force of sea currents into energy. An OTEC method has also been used, taking advantage of the temperature difference between water levels on the surface and at the bottom of the body of water. Drinking water is obtained by desalinating seawater, while marine algae is used to treat wastewater, and the recovered water is reused, for example, for watering flowers. In addition, the terminal buildings are covered with a permeable coating that allows sunlight to illuminate the interior. The project also includes spaces for generating biomass from seaweed, which is then used to produce biofuel. It is possible that biofuel will be the main source of energy for flying machines in the future.
facades
© Lucja Janik
Łucja JANIK
Illustrations: © Author
