OPEN PULKOVO AIRPORT BY GRIMSHAW

A new terminal of the airport Pulkovo in St. Petersburg is ready to welcome its first passengers since its official opening on December 4, 2013.

Grimshaw worked as part of a team to design a new terminal and Airport City for Pulkovo Airport, St Petersburg. Pascal + Watson acted as executive architects and Ramboll were appointed as lead design consultants.

This is the first project in Russia for international firm Grimshaw who won the scheme in an international competition, see project, and were retained as concept guardians.

Grimshaw Project Partner Mark Middleton said: “This building represents a point of departure for Grimshaw. We are known for our expressive structures and attention to detail. We wanted to keep all of those elements - the practicality and the buildability, and our interest in sustainability - but also try to make this building more about form and space.

“This development is a quantum leap, easily holding its own among the world’s top airports. I think the future for St Petersburg is bright; Pulkovo will become a large hub, drawing business from Asia and Eastern Europe.”

The master plan represents and responds to the climate and heritage of St Petersburg. The striking new terminal roof and envelope are designed to accommodate the extremes of climate experienced by the city.

The roof is created from a series of 18m bays, which effectively act as large hoppers. Pulkovo Airport acts as a gateway to both St Petersburg and Russia, while reflecting the city it serves.

The internal layout of the new terminal consists of well-defined and separate zones to echo the external layout of islands and bridges which make up the city. This emphasis is carried through into the Airport City masterplan. It is reminiscent of St Petersburg’s wide avenues, and terminates in a large square which represents the past, present and future environments of St Petersburg through a series of pavilions.

Location: St Petersburg, Russia 
Architects: Grimshaw 
Design Consultants: Ramboll, Pascall + Watson 
Structural Engineer: Arup 
Services Engineer: Buro Happold
Quantity Surveyor: Turner & Townsend
Airport Specialist: Naco 
Retail Specialist: Chapman Taylor 
Size: 110,000 sq m 
Year: 2013 
Client: Pulkovo Airport