One Works has completed Phase 1 of a major development plan for Marco Polo Airport, with expansive new facilities carefully integrated into the existing fabric of the airport. Working alongside SAVE Engineering, One Works has overseen the complex architectural and structural challenges involved in bringing the airport up to 21st century standards.
Marco Polo Airport is an important part of northern Italy’s transport infrastructure, the third such intercontinental hub in the country, with a growing number of passengers using routes through it thanks to an overarching traffic strategy.
The first phase of the extension: 2013-2017
Inaugurated on June 17, the new 11,000 sqm extension creates a kind of forecourt for the airport, improving accessibility to the terminal and connecting passengers to the dock via the new moving walkway; from here passengers can travel to Venice in style by Vaporetto or water taxi.
The new forecourtis comprised of an 280-metre-long, fully glazed gallery that takes advantage of the 22-metre-wide interstitial space left free in the original complex between the terminal and the dual level road.
The new distribution layout has been developed to marry the functional requirements of the day-to-day terminal operations but also to embrace the beauty of the spectacular views of the Venice lagoon.
One Works has created a harmonious dialogue between the original airport buildings and the new extensions, ensuring that the iconic lagoon landmark is expanded sustainably, now and in the future.
The new VIP Lounge & Winter Garden
Inspired by the traditions of Venetian glass, a new VIP area, known as the Marco Polo Lounge, is characterised by the use of glass, both as a form generator and as a finishing material.
The lounge is configured as two contrasting spaces with their own singular identities. On one side, overlooking the track and bathed in natural light, is the main relaxation area featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls and an undulating ceiling that blends with the parquet floor. On the other side of the partition glass is an area close to the central core of the airport, dedicated to ancillary functions and services such as the reception, cloakroom, changing rooms, toilets, storage and food preparation areas.
Between these two spaces there are two further rest spots and the lounge also boasts a new winter garden that partially covers the existing terrace.