Airport Car Park and Domestic Apron Works start

New Domestic Terminal car park to become a work of art

04/07/2010

Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Limited (BAC) today announced that the new Domestic Terminal short-term multi-level car park will be the canvas for an eight-storey kinetic public art project.

BAC’s engagement of international public art consultancy Urban Art Projects (UAP) has led to the commissioning of established American artist Ned Kahn who is known for his artwork currently in the Canberra National Science Building.

Kahn, who has developed an international following for his artworks that incorporate the use of natural elements such as wind and light will collaborate with BAC and UAP’s design team to create a 5000 Sq m kinetic façade for the new Domestic Terminal short-term car park.

Viewed from the exterior, Kahn’s proven concept for one side of the car park will appear to move and create the impression of waves due to the wind passing behind 250,000 aluminum panels. Inside the car park, intricate patterns of light and shadow will be projected onto the walls and floor as sunlight passes through this kinetic façade. In addition to revealing the ever-changing patterns of the invisible wind, the artwork has many environmental benefits by being designed to also provide ventilation and shade for the interior of the car park.

The new Domestic Terminal short-term multi-level car park will also provide 5,300 undercover car spaces across nine levels, state-of-the-art way-finding technology, and innovative safety and security measures.

BAC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Julieanne Alroe, said that with more than 14 million passengers travelling through the Domestic Terminal each year, it was important to ensure visitors experience a positive welcome to Queensland.

“Brisbane Airport is the gateway to Queensland. To encourage people to continue visiting we need to ensure their experience of Brisbane Airport includes high standards of customer service, quality facilities and, of course, pleasant surroundings,” she said.

“The International Terminal expansion significantly improved the international passenger experience and this new car park and art feature is the first step in improving the experience for domestic passengers as we embark on a major upgrade to the precinct over the next decade.”

Ms Julieanne Alroe said a number of additional artworks will be placed around the airport precinct, to enhance the culture and surroundings over coming months.

“We have established a relationship with Urban Art Projects through this Domestic Terminal art piece, and we intend to continue this relationship, delivering new artworks across the airport. This art will complement the cultural renaissance shift throughout Brisbane, and the innovative art work appearing throughout the CBD thanks to the Brisbane City Council’s New World City program.”

The multi-level car park will be situated on the old short-term parking area between the Domestic Terminal and the current long-term multi-level car park and will connect with Moreton Drive.

The car park will also feature a number of environmental initiatives, such as natural ventilation, and rainwater harvesting from the roof. Furthermore, as part of this car park project BAC will be Brisbane City Council’s first customer to receive recycled water from Luggage Point, to be used for irrigation and waste water.

The new car park and Ned Kahn public art façade will be completed and on display in late 2011, and follows a number of precinct upgrade projects currently underway.

These projects include a $10 million apron expansion and the $45 million Common User Satellite (CUS) Upgrade.

The CUS upgrade will be completed later this year, and will: increase the number of passenger gate lounges in this area from two to seven; provide for two additional aircraft parking bays, bringing the total to seven; provide new food and beverage facilities close to the new passenger lounges; improve the energy efficiency of the satellite building; provide space for new airline offices.

Next week BAC will also start works on a $110 million Northern Domestic Terminal Apron expansion, which will provide an additional nine aircraft bays, taking the total to 20 bays, and is expected to be complete early 2014.

SOURCE BAC.