Foster + Partners together with Buro Happold consortium have won a competition to design the new CPK airport between Warsaw and Łódź in Poland. 

Described as "a pivotal project", the new airport is set to act as a symbolic gateway to Poland, which will become a 21st century transport interchange, bringing together air, rail and road. The design is aimed to reflect the country’s national identity and providing exceptional passenger experience. 

Made of "a woven architectural form", the interwoven geometry is expected to act as a guiding element for passengers while circulating through its spaces. 

Under the undulating form, a massive timber-led design creates an intricate pattern while providing a play of light and shadow inside. 

The pivotal project will act as a symbolic gateway to Poland

"We are proud and excited to be chosen by CPK as the designers of this project. In collaboration, we will work together to create a model for the future of totally integrated transportation design," said Grant Brooker, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners. 

"We believe that this project will completely revolutionise travel across the country and beyond. The vision of woven architectural form is deliberately and strongly expressed." 

"It could shape the building and guide the passengers through its spaces, while also serving as a powerful symbolic reference to Poland’s rich cultural heritage and the united strength of its people," Brooker added.

The design ideas include a simple, continuous vaulted roof which intuitively directs passengers from the plaza towards the aircraft

Foster + Partners' vision is based on a balance between operational efficiency, environmental responsibility and symbolic expression.

The project includes a landside interchange plaza that is enriched by lush greenery and natural light. People are bringing together in this vibrant space before travelling or welcoming visitors. 

The plaza serves for three main modes of transport: air, rail and road. The plaza, acting as the focal point of the scheme, is designed to support the shift towards more efficient and sustainable means of travel. 

The studio will also implement future emerging technologies to navigate the design and passengers in an efficient way. A simple, continuous vaulted roof covers the plaza, while intuitively guiding passengers from the plaza towards the aircraft.

The vision for CPK airport includes a landside interchange plaza that is animated by lush greenery and flooded with natural light. People would congregate in this vibrant space before travelling or welcoming visitors

"The vision optimises the passenger experience, making it accessible and inclusive," said Foster + Partners. 

"The functional and flexible layout, with minimal level changes, would allow for efficient and seamless passenger flows and optimised transfers," the studio added.

Due to the flexible layout and openness of design, the hub forms visual connections to its surrounding landscape within its geographic context and triggers to establish a strong sense of place.

According to Foster + Partners, the airport will respond to the challenges of time, in terms of cost and quality. 

To meet future demands and ever-evolving operational needs, the studio will use modularisation and prefabrication construction techniques.

"This creates a resilient and future-proof scheme that stands the test of time," according to the studio.

Visual connections to the surrounding landscape would anchor the transport hub within its geographic context and help to establish a strong sense of place

The CPK airport is initially expected to serve up to 40 million passengers and then expand seamlessly to accommodate the 65 million passenger target in 2060.

Foster + Partners' Red Sea International Airport is under construction in Saudi Arabia. The firm is also designing a new airport for Amaala, an ultra-luxury tourism project on Saudi Arabia's northwestern coast. 

Foster + Partners will also extend Marseille Provence Airport with a 22-metre-high glazed hall, expected to serve up to 12 million passengers per year (excluding the MP2 terminal), with future-proofing the development until 2046.

All images © Foster + Partners.

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