CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES ON GUWAHATI AIRPORT"S NEW INTEGRATED TERMINAL

Construction work has begun on Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport's new Integrated Terminal Building in Guwahati, India.

India's Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister, P Ashok Gajapathi Raju laid the foundation stone for the project, which is due for completion in 2021.

When complete, the new 9,000sqm terminal is expected to transform people's perceptions of the gateway as well as its operational capabilities.

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The new terminal is expected to conform to GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) 4-Star rating. 



In terms of facilities it will boast 64 check-in counters, 20 self-check-in desks, eight Immigration counters, eight custom counters, six arrival carousels, 10 escalators, 25 elevators, 16 self-baggage drop counters and 20 aircraft parking bays. 

According to the Design Forum International (DFI), one of the design firms working on the project, the terminal's appearance takes inspiration from Icarus, the mythical figure who dared to fly.

It, rather poetically, states: "The majestic centrepiece is symbolic and looms over the departure concourse, its arms outstretched as it reaches out to the skies. 

"The floating form doubles up as the canopy for the drop-off zone. The terminal roof, the flooring patterns, the column cladding, the theme walls, and even the signage design are inspired by Japanese paper folding art of Origami.



"Spaces have been allocated for the artisans to sit and produce right at the airport, encouraging interaction with visitors. 

"Adding to several design elements are the indoor forests. The visitor is positioned within a 90-feet high indoor rainforest, which needs to be navigated before being reunited with the luggage.

"The Namaskar Atrium is a massive double-heighted space that creates an experience for the inbound visitor, with its walls adorned with the art and craft of Assam. 



"The Baggage Claim hall wall is an exercise in modularity with Origami aluminum panels that derive inspiration from the hilly terrain of the North-eastern states.

"The tea-gardens are a mark of reverence to the context, and serve as an inspiration for landscape design. They are positioned at the front yard along with a water cascade."

A little less colourfully, the government of Assam state, says: “The city side of the building will be aesthetically landscaped with lush green areas. 

"It will have green areas within and outside connecting passengers to nature. A small internal forest feature, bamboo artefact and a craft village are integrated into the overall design, highlighting the rich ethos and culture of the Northeastern region of India.”