Recent airport designs are bigger and much more efficient, based on a look at recent projects in Mexico City, London, and China.
The Mexico City airport is expected to serve 50 million people a year with a design emphasizing energy efficiency. Gate locations will be spaced to make for easy walking, and the roof will include solar technology. There will also be an on-site energy plant that will collect, treat, and recycle rainwater.
Beijing Capital International Airport's Terminal 3 has a dragon-like design focused on efficiency, sustainability, and natural light. Skylights built into the soaring roof maximize morning sun. Connections between terminals take two minutes in a train that travels at 80 miles per hour, and the heating and cooling system is highly efficient.
London's Terminal 2 is the world's first BREEAM-certified airport project. It includes a number of features that reduce CO2 emissions, boost water efficiency, and a sophisticated lighting control system. The terminal is aiming to be recycling or composting 70% of its waste by 2020.
(http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/01/news/economy/future-airports/index.html)
Related Stories
| Jun 28, 2012
Top building material executive urges building resilience in sustainability standards
A meeting of 1,000 business executives at the recent Rio+20 environmental conference featured a passionate plea to include building resilience in efforts to boost sustainability.
| Jun 28, 2012
Following spate of skyscraper balcony glass panel breakages, Ontario adopts code change
Ontario's housing minister announced new building code rules to help prevent glass panels from breaking off high-rise balconies during hot weather.
| Jun 28, 2012
Factory worker deaths in Italy raise questions on building codes after earthquakes
Italian officials are questioning seismic building standards and inspection procedures in the aftermath of two damaging earthquakes.
| Jun 21, 2012
Brazilian engineering/construction firm Odebrecht sues Florida over ban on companies doing business in Cuba
Odebrecht Construction Inc., a Brazilian engineering and construction company, is suing the State of Florida over a new law that bans governments from hiring companies with business ties to Cuba.
| Jun 21, 2012
String of shattered glass balcony panels prompts call for code reform in Ontario
Since last summer, glass balconies have shattered at 13 different buildings in Toronto.
| Jun 21, 2012
California adds window film to building code
California is the first state to add window film into its building code. Window film, a polymer material, offers cost-effective energy savings.
| Jun 21, 2012
New ISO standard to improve environmental management of concrete
A new ISO standard will help the construction industry better manage the environmental impacts of concrete.
| Jun 21, 2012
On net-zero projects, Building Teams will be held accountable for energy-efficiency performance
The building team will be held accountable for how net-zero energy buildings perform two, five, and maybe ten years after completion.
