Backed by the endless beauty of culture, Bangalore’s International Airport is a sensation. You would walk into Kempegowda International Airport, just to realize that it has an expanse of lush greenery and the city’s values. And the bamboo ceiling or the bell-shaped structures would be worth paying a visit to.
Airports are meant to be basic public spaces that help us traverse from one place to another. Yet a modern airport experience has been the aim of many countries. Like Singapore’s Changi Airport, it is a massive space for interaction, play, and culture. And weaving into the same possibilities, Kempegowda International Airport launched its second terminal. The 255,000 sqm Terminal 2 is built smartly with 4 beliefs namely, sustainability, art and culture, technology and to make a ‘terminal in a garden’. Surprisingly, T2 increases the annual passenger capacity of the airport by 25 million. The interconnected buildings and the landscaped spaces were designed in collaboration with Grant Associates and designers Abu Jani/Sandeep Khosla.
Here’s what you should be looking at in Terminal 2.
The Mind-blowing Architecture Of The International Airport
The terminal at the International Airport was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) over 4 long years. Peter Lefkovits of SOM explains, “The idea was to radically reimagine the travel experience by connecting passengers to nature along each step of their journey.” Starting with creating one of the world’s lightest terminal roofs, T2 is built with domestically produced materials and local technology. It uses simple elements: lightweight steel and bamboo. So when you enter this part of the International Airport, the stunning interior design will make you gasp.
The steel makes a lattice-like structure on the roof and is further supported by 4-post columns. Additionally, the steel frames are clad in bamboo to form an overall lightweight feel. This proudly indicates a direction towards sustainable bamboo design. Additionally, it allows natural light to peek in, forming a garden pavilion in a public space.
To reflect the varied landscape of Karnataka, the terminal is flowered with green. Lefkovits describes, “Throughout the complex interior plantings, exterior gardens, and rich natural materials connect passengers to nature and local culture.” The space is adorned with hanging bell-shaped suspensions, matching the natural aesthetics of the city. Locally sourced ivory brown granite, woven rattan, and umber red bricks have been prime materials for many furnishings.
You’ll find interesting hanging gardens at the check-in, terraced gardens in the main retail space, and Mediterranean plants enhancing the Orientation garden. One of the most incredible spaces is the forest belt, a 90-metre-wide area of unimaginably charming greens. To allow some air to tickle the passengers’ sensations, they need to pass through an open bridge to reach the gates.
Lastly, the International Airport thought of including art to ornament the walls. Hence, Dhaatu and Anupama Hosker’s wood puppets are suspended from the ceiling near the boarding gates. Whereas, Krishnaraj Chonat’s copper sculpture is suspended from the boarding piers. So, the futuristic airport decor is rooted in the past. With a fantastic blend of scenery, nature, and eco-friendly materials, the International Airport has had a powerful impact on global construction.
The Effortless Accessibility For Passengers
To make things easier, T2 has three gates to enter, each of which hosts 6 e-gates. This will allow a simple barcode scanner to describe all your flight details to security staff. As you move ahead, you will have 90 check-in corners, of which 56 are manned and 34 have self-bag drop facilities. For security scanning, for the first time in India, three body scanners are installed for tight protection. At Arrivals, there are a total of 9 baggage belts that can be used for both domestic and international flights. The International Airport does plan to build almost 40 immigration counters running before international operations begin at T2.
The Conceptual Transit Hub
The International Airport has also included a marvelous project – its transit hub. Portraying the innovative city, the transit hub holds retail spaces and a tinge of luxury and glamor. Yet, it offers something more than that.
This T-shaped, two-level space will serve as the heart of the International Airport. It will hold parking, a taxi service, and a rideshare zone. Terminal 2 stands in the east, Terminal 1 in the northwest, and the airport hotel is situated in the southeast. Hence, the transit hub will act as a channel through which all these places can be easily accessed on foot.
Right now, the retail portion includes notable brands like Swarovski, Zimson, and GKB Opticals with a few more shortly coming up. The transit hub will serve all that people need and allow them to lounge into another world before setting off for their destinations.
Kempegowda International Airport is like stepping into a heavenly moment. It’s like a magical portal that transports people from one place to another. Just the difference is that this portal gives us a chance to reflect upon the wonders of the city at a glance.
Photographs: Ar. Ekansh Goel © Studio Recall
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