TAG Farnborough Airport / 3DReid Architects

Architect: 3DReid Architects
Project Year: 2006 (Phase 1) – 2010 (Phase 2)
Engineer: Buro Happold
Contractor: TAG Construction Management
Quantity Surveyor: Cyril Sweett
Landscape Architect: Lovejoy
Structural Steelwork: Rowecord Engineering
External Cladding: Mero
Glazing: Compass Glass
Photography: 3DReid Architects

3DReid Architects designed the new TAG Farnborough Airport as being exclusively the premier private/business airport in Europe. Consequently, Farnborough Airport was the UK’s first airfield and home to the country’s first powered flight in 1908. The roughly $16M project is the operational and administrative center of the airport and also provides conference facilities for business travelers.

The new addition is the third in a series of buildings designed for the larger masterplan of the airport. The site is home to the world famous air show in Farnborough, through this new addition 3DReid builds a theatrical backdrop with the housing of the new 5,000sqm building and its two-story office and operations function.

3DReid’s aim was to create a building, which picks up on and reflects the technology and beauty of the aircraft.

The main atrium is a 3 dimensional oval bowl pace that appears to peel away from the external skin of the building. This complex space is the heart of the building and provides a processional circulation route for all passenger facilities, offices and operations areas. Its sculptural nature creates an open, fluid and welcoming introduction to TAG Aviation’s service.

The project has been given a RIBA Award.

3DReid is the merger of REID architecture with 3D Architects in the summer of 2007. The resultant combination of both successful organisations is a practice which can provide a high level of expertise and service to its clients across a wide range of sectors.