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The general goal of the construction project for a new departure hall was to create conditions improving the function of the Brno - Tuřany Airport, with respect to strengthening its importance within the network of European international airports, by improving the quality of check-in services and general conditions for passengers, airline employees and airport guests. Furthermore, to contribute to the development of the South Moravian Region, to support the entrepreneurial activities directly and indirectly related to tourism and travel industries. The consequential goal is the augmentation of air travel and enhancement of the airport according to the requirements of the Schengen Agreement.
The Brno-Tuřany International Airport is located in the plane landscape of the south-western part of Brno, in immediate vicinity of the D1 highway.
The build-up zone is characteristic by its efficiency and progressive development. The existing dominant structure is the TWR Tower and the former ACCR premises. Besides the tower, there are no other architecturally important buildings.
The new Departure Terminal is situated east of the existing terminal. The reason for this is the operational interconnection and maximum integration of common functions. The indent of the hall on the north requires maintenance of the airplanes of the high category directly in front of the building, allowing the development of the original building on the north side later. The passenger's check-in area is planned in the centre between arrival and departures, as a reaction to the requirement to minimize the travel of the technical service employees.
The concept of the form of the building is in reaction to the airport operator's requirements. It is based on the simple layout of a support less hall of rectangle shape, allowing maximum variability for prospective use. The existing building integrates all the functions: check-in, departure Schengen, departure non Schengen and safety check.
The very identical and clear architecture of the exterior shape was created by chamfering and rounding the simple block mass in compliance with the aerodynamic principles of construction of airplanes or other transportation means. The façade itself went through a long design and technical development to fulfill the requirements for the external design and to better resist the environment atmospheric conditions. A special TiZn hexagonal model, which was able to meet all the technical parameters and the requirements on the monolithic shell, has been developed.
In compliance with the global design the idea of the airport as "the gate to the world and gate to the country", which identifies the hall completely, was further developed. The grandiose arched vaults of the external facades are dominant from both sides, where the plasticity of the building is supported by the recession of the glass parts. The north front is characterized by the protuberant arched shelter in the shape of a wing, which improves the protection of the passengers on the entry, where the south facade is shaded by the system of advanced sun blinds which lower the economic costs of cooling while maintaining a good view.
The exterior architecture is compact and aerodynamic, the interior is characterized by the exposed steel structure which works as "the skeleton coated with leather". Its static scheme, based on six main bearing vaults, respects the external "rounded" concept. Asymmetric shed light wells perforate the building's roof by logic shape segmentation, with the characteristic arch glassing from the northwest, and by the contrastive, fully deformed conoidal surface of acoustic soffits from the opposite side. The external shell disengages in the south and north third from the steel vaults and creates imaginary "side bodies" of the hall.
Limiting the description to the lines above, we have to mention the "special quality" of this building. It is not only the energetic economy achieved by reducing the external shell surface area by rounding, shading and suitably shaping along with the natural ventilation via the light wells, but the building's capacity to inspire. During the short life of the building, the construction is now already the focus of attention of the passengers and other public. The press and the public are giving it many names, both positive and negative. It has been called "the whale, shark, Moravian armadillo, snake skin, stone, airship, baseball hat, vault, airplane, Victory Arch and gate". This proves the meeting of the intention, creating an identical air gate to the South Moravian Region!
In conclusion, please read the following warning:
When ascending the central staircase to the gallery, looking to the south, you will see not only the departure-landing runway with the currently departing airplane, but, with the condition of good visibility, also the Pálava panorama - the symbol of South Moravia - directly in front of you and precisely in the exact centre and axis of the terminal.
Architects, who have already had the opportunity to face a similar task know, how many regulations concerning traffic and technology have to be included in the conception of an airport terminal.
The final project is a result of a good knowledge of the airport traffic and of the effort to create a building which would set a new standard. The jury had an opportunity to visit the public part of the airport as well as the private part and also acquiainted with the dynamic change through which the airport should go. Limited financial resources certainly also influenced the conception of the construction itself and the choice of its material. The Jury believes that the richness of detail does not necessarily lead to the benefit of the final result.
The Jury agreed, in spite of certain objections, on the opinion confirming the quality of the airport terminal. According to their opinion it is necessary to appreciate the efforts of the authors who tried to find a solution to the look of contemporary local airport terminals.