Abu Dhabi International Airport / KPF / UAE

Abu Dhabi International Airport

Midfield Complex Terminal

• Architects:  Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, 
• Location:  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Client:  Abu Dhabi Airport Company
• Structural Engineer:  ARUP
• Type:  New Passenger Terminal/Transportation
• Size:  735,000 m2 / 7,900,000 ft2  
• Project Dates:  2012-2019
• Project Cost:  AED 10.8 Billion ($2.94 Billion)
• Contractors:  Parsons, AECOM Technology Corporation, joint venture of TAV, CCC and Arabtec, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates  

Abu Dhabi International Airport Midfield Complex is integral to the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan - transforming the desert into the 'Garden of the Gulf' through a design that responds to its natural environment, while meeting the needs of the rapidly expanding capital.

Dominating a key position in the global race of fast-expanding luxury air travel and transfer points, the new Midfield Terminal Complex will process up to 80 million passengers each year to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding Middle East capital.

Abu Dhabi International Airport is expected to handle 20 million passengers over the next few years. The Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC) is being constructed to cope with increasing passengers traffic. The MTC building is designed to be the largest, virtually pleasing and architecturally magnificent structure in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The new building is located between the airport's two runways, which is why been named midfield terminal. The location gives passengers a quick and comfortable approach to the terminal.

Conceived as a gateway to Abu Dhabi, the Terminal Building is raised up from the road level giving the appearance of sitting on its own plateau. In this context the building is the dominant and most impressive structure on the horizon with its dynamic profile silhouetted against the sky. At night the building's illuminated interior will be visible from the highway over 1,500 meters away.

The terminal is planned to cater for 20 million annual passengers with 65 contact stands. The terminal's principal user will be Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, and it is designed to cater for significant volumes of passengers transferring between flights at Abu Dhabi providing a minimum connect time of 45 minutes.

Details -

The MTC Terminal construction is considered to be a major step in the Abu Dhabi International Airport Development Project. Since the inception of the expansion project in 2006, a new 4,100 meters long and 60 meter wide runway was constructed in 2008 to handle code F-380 aircraft.

Terminal 3, which has a floor area of 70,000 m2 (753,474 ft2) with 33 check-in counters, was opened in 2008. It is currently serving flights for Etihad Airways. A new 110 meter high air traffic complex was put into operation in 2011. It is the biggest in the region and constitutes state-of-the-art air traffic control systems on-site training facilities.

Design -

On approaching the Terminal Building the roadway system and landscaping work together to create a sequence of events culminating in a monumental civic space inside the terminal. Internally the scale of the Departure Hall, a 50-meter high space rendered largely column-free through the use of long span leaning arches, endows the building with an open, outdoor quality, with the supporting arches visually separated from the roof to enhance the lightweight feel. On plan, the X-shape provides the greatest programmatic efficiencies enabling the terminal to extend to 65 gates, accommodating 59 aircraft's at any one time.

The building comprises a reinforced concrete podium and multi-level basement with 69,000 tonnes of superstructure steel-work forming the large span roof structure over the central space and piers.

The terminal contains large column-free zones with a soaring roof supported by steel arches placed at long spaces. A large hall leads passengers to the centre of the building, which contains a hotel, lounges, cultural outlets, store and a park-like garden. 

The wavy roof curves downward at the end concourses so as to provide shade and protect the terminal against the heat from sun-rays. The terminal configuration lets in maximum natural light.

Guided by environmental objectives, the terminal limits the use of potable water by incorporating dry climate landscaping. The building uses low energy lighting and is supplemented by the daylight passing through the transparent walls.

Facilities -

The mid-terminal complex at Abu Dhabi International Airport will have an area of 630,000 m2 to 702,360 m2. It will include approximately 18,000 m2 of dedicated space for passenger facilities and duty-free retail stores, including high-end commercial offerings, internationally-renowned luxury goods and designer outlets. International restaurants and cafe's will be located in an approximately 10,000 m2 rarea. An area of 27,500 m2 will be dedicated for airline hospitality lounge, a museum exhibiting heritage and culture and a transit hotel.

An area of 800,000 m2 will be dedicated for the cargo building, which will have a capacity to park 16 to 20 aircraft. The piers of the MTC building will be able to accommodate 65 large aircraft, such as the Airbus A-380. The 165 conventional check-in counters installed in the building can handle 8,500 passengers per hour. Additionally 48 self-service kiosks are installed in the terminal. The new building will feature around 136 screening lanes for passengers and 25 screening lanes for staff.

Under Construction -

The project is currently in construction with more than 18,000 workers, 42 tower cranes and 35 mobile cranes on site. Since the first buttress was put into place in October 2013, the erection of the main roof arches has since followed, with the largest some 50 meter tall.

Now out of the ground, the project is becoming a new landmark, clearly visible from the main Abu Dhabi to Dubai motorway. Installation of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing services has now started. Arup is currently providing construction advice services together with a team on site.

The building is expected to require 69,000 of steel, around 680,000 m3 of concrete, 500,000 m2 of steel and glass cladding, 135,000 tonnes of rebar, 360,000 m2 of suspended ceilings, and 325,000 m2 of natural stone flooring.

Conclusion -

The MTB is designed to achieve a minimum Two Pearl Rating, following the Urban Planning Council's Estidama approach towards sustainable design. The project will minimize its impact on the environment, making use of innovative and cutting edge design elements, such as high performance angled glass to reduce heat and increase air-conditioning efficiencies.