Shannon Airport

TODD Architects in conjunction with WYG Ireland successfully won the bid at the start of 2007 to extend and refurbish the existing terminal building to accommodate the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) facility, segregate arriving and departing passengers, extend the passenger screening facility and provide additional retail opportunities.

As it was not possible to close any part of the airport during the construction it was vital to design and phase the works in such a way to minimise disruption to passengers and the operation of the airport. TODD Architects prepared various design options and this resulted in the final layout to add an extension to the side of the terminal which could be built without disruption to services and increase the lounge and retail areas. The existing CBP facility was located in the middle of the proposed lounge extension and operated without incident during the construction of the terminal extension.

The CBP staff and equipment moved overnight allowing for uninterrupted operation and passengers were routed around their old facility while it was reconfigured. The segregation works involved constructing a fully enclosed walkway on the roof of the existing pier with a series of vertical circulation cores while passengers boarded aircraft below. The project was completed Q1 2010 and has proved highly successful in its operation and has greatly increased the level of passenger experience.

The pallet of finishes included heavy duty rubber flooring to all passenger circulation areas and carpet to office areas. Painted plasterboard walls were widely used for speed of construction and where necessary vinyl cladding was incorporated for added durability.