Ezeiza International Airport
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Leo A Daily

A modern terminal is the cornerstone of Argentina's nationwide airport upgrade

© Rita Ramos

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The new departure hall at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires takes Argentina’s airports into a new era of architectural excellence and efficiency. The project began with the awarding of a 30-year contract for privatization of all Argentinean airports to the consortium Aeropuertos Argentina 2000. The group retained the architect to create a branding plan for the airport system, develop a master plan, and design a state-of-the-art international terminal hall.

Completed in 2000, the new terminal is a large, open, light-filled volume, column-free with exposed structural systems. The new terminal streamlines passenger movement, raises the bar on what used to be an antiquated level of service, and transforms the airport’s image as an old, decaying "cold-war era" facility into that of a clean, appealing, modern, and functional destination.

Constructed exclusively of glass curtain wall and metal on the land side, the 170,000 square-foot hall, though physically connected, is in strong contrast to the existing facility that has been in operation for 50 years. The dominant feature of the structure is the wing-shaped roof that encloses a space soaring to over 65 feet high. Integrated into the design of the roof are translucent skylights spanning the entire width of the hall. All structural members remain exposed, including the deep triangular, tubular, roof trusses. The terrazzo floor mirrors the rhythm of the roof members in a linear pattern that also identifies the circulation and queuing zones.

Formal name of Project:
Ezeiza International Airport - International Departures Hall

Location:
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Gross square footage:
130,000 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$75 million

Owner:
Aeropuertos Argentina 2000

Architect:
Leo A Daily
1201 Connecticut Avenue NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Phone - 202.861.4600
Fax - 202.872.8530
www.leoadaly.com