GMR Group led consortium which developed terminal 2 of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in the Philippines, has won the prestigious world architecture award at the World Architecture Festival held in Amsterdam last week.
The Terminal was adjudged winner in the Completed Buildings-Transport category, by beating the other iconic names in list such as Singapore’s Changi Airport, Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station and several other structures. The GMR Group, with its local consortium partner Megawide formed GMR – Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) and developed the terminal, which was inaugurated by The Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in June 7, 2018.
World Architecture Festival award is one of the most prestigious awards dedicated to the architecture and design industry. While announcing Cebu airport the winner of the award, judges officially recognized it as a “simple and elegant” new airport that uses many locally sourced materials which is well integrated into terminal design and landscape plan. The terminal has been designed by Hong Kong-based Integrated Design Associates along with local designers Budji Layug, Royal Pinda, and Cebu’s Kenneth Cobonpue. Srinivas Bommidala, Chairman – Energy and International Airports, GMR Group and Chairman – GMCAC, said, “The World Architecture award to resort-themed Terminal 2 is testimony to GMR Group’s credentials as a leading global airport developer and operator. Due to its intelligent and aesthetically beautiful design with use of local materials, the terminal not just provides a memorable travel experience but has also touched the chords of local people.”
Its dynamic elegance and lightness of the roof made out of wood are the most recognizable element. The structure is composed of an array of glulam (glue-laminated) arches, which form the roof curvature and define its geometry and modularity. The arches span every 30 meters allowing the terminal to be as column-free as possible. The white alpine’s wood has a service life of about 200 years and just needs a protective coating every 50 years.
The terminal building offers wide-ranging retail environment with approximately 3,000 sq. m. of gross leasable area dedicated to commercial space for the convenience and leisure of passengers.
It features a walk-through Duty Free that has a dedicated floor area of approximately 895 sq. m., making world-class shopping easy and accessible. Its design concept complements the look and feel of T2 to give a lasting, feel-good impression of the Cebu experience to tourists and business travellers.
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