Launch of new International Pier at Birmingham Airport
05.08.09
As part of an ongoing development programme to cater for Birmingham International Airport’s increasing and changing business demands, a significant milestone in the construction phase of the New International Pier has been reached in that it has been recently opened to passengers.
Leading M&E Consulting Engineers, Hulley & Kirkwood, were part of a successful team appointed to provide mechanical and electrical services design for the development of the International Pier to replace the existing 25 year old two-tier Pier which had become both congested, laden with operational complexities and not able to meet the needs of today’s aircraft.
The vision for a low energy, high quality building was required by the Client with the brief being to develop & review design options and progress the preferred option forward to a suitable level sufficient for submission of a detailed planning application.
Hulley & Kirkwood undertook detailed survey work to establish the extent and condition of existing services and fully engaged the Airport’s Engineering Department throughout the design process to ensure that all proposals not only met with operational needs but also those of the Airport Engineers and incorporated the latest design innovative practices.
Discussions were undertaken with the Airport’s Energy Manager in order to develop the Energy Strategy for the building, providing options on sustainable solutions in order to better Building Regulations requirements and meet the Airports Energy Policy
Part of the project criteria and challenge was that all the proposals and construction had to integrate with and not effect the operation of the airport or the wellbeing of passengers. This brought with it a multitude of technical & logistical constraints and challenges which had to be overcome.
The new pier, a three storey building connected to the extended Terminal 1 Lounge, is 240m in length, 24m in width over three levels and provides circa 15,000m² floor space in order to accommodate arrivals, departure and transfer flights from Europe and beyond. The building also provides a home for aircraft support and servicing crews.
Stephen Harris, Regional Director at Hulley & Kirkwood, comments; “This was an exciting project for us. Through the use of innovative modeling and design techniques, we exceeded the Client’s requirements and have delivered a sustainable energy efficient building that betters the requirements of Building Regulations part L by over 22%. Early and continued dialogue with all Client parties was key to its success and has ensured that a building has been provided that is quite rightly one to be proud of."
Hulley & Kirkwood’s aviation experience includes the development of the Europier building and Star Alliance Arrivals & Departures Lounge, both at Heathrow Airport and the refurbishment and expansion of the South Terminal International Departures lounge at Gatwick Airport.
