JHP’s concepts for Olbia airborne

JHP has this week had concepts approved for a commercial design strategy for Sardinia’s Olbia airport.

The consultancy has been tasked with overseeing the strategic planning of the airport’s layout. This will include the design of commercial, retail and restaurant areas in both the existing landside terminal and new-build airside facility.

The group was briefed to deliver a flexible solution that is able to adapt to the airport’s highly seasonal passenger flow, says JHP managing director John Herbert. The airport transports 1.5m passengers each year, the vast majority using the airport during the summer holiday months.

‘It’s a different proposition to [an airport like] Heathrow. The challenge is to deliver a design that has the ability to operate flexibly and keep the presentation going all year round. [The airport] needs to be efficient during the summer months but also work in the winter when passenger numbers are lower,’ explains Herbert.

The group studied the ‘historic environment’ of Sardinia, he adds, and used materials such as granite and timber, which ‘reflect local characteristics’ in the design. A ‘large, central mosaic’ is also planned which is likely to be constructed by a local artist.

The consultancy was appointed in August without a pitch on the strength of its previous work at Venice airport, says Herbert. JHP senior designer Paul Jones worked with Herbert on the project.

Olbia airport is based on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda and is home to the Meridiana airline, owned by the Aga Khan.

The new terminal is scheduled to open in summer 2003.