Denver International Airport South Terminal / Santiago Calatrava

Aug 2010

By Andrew Rosenberg — Filed under: Architecture News ,Featured ,Public Facilities , Airport, Colorado, Denver, Santiago Calatrava, USA

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Courtesy of Santiago Calatrava, LLC

Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava has unveiled his preliminary designs for the Denver International Airport’s (DIA) south terminal redevelopment program. The concept for the redevelopment will not only enhance the airport’s connectivity and functionality, but is also expected to create more than 6,600 jobs.

The project is one of the largest in the country. It includes the construction of a signature rail bridge, a terminal train station, a 500-room hotel and conference center and a multi-function civic plaza complete with retail and concessions. The rail station, plaza and hotel will form a highly integrated and dynamic complex, located directly south of the Jeppeson Terminal.

‘My goal in designing a train station adjacent to such an iconic structure as the Jeppeson Terminal has been to complement it with a design of independent identity and equal quality. ‘it is my sincere hope that the vision expressed in this proposal not only respects and complements the existing architecture, but enables Denver International Airport to continue to serve as a landmark for centuries to come.’, said Calatrava.

Inside the airport, courtesy of Santiago Calatrava, LLC

As Denver International Airport continues to expand its role as an economic engine for the city and county of Denver and the state of Colorado, it will transform into a micro-city, with increased revenue potential. The new hotel and conference center are key components of this new development, along with a civic plaza that provides restaurants and commercial retail, as well as space for special programs including exhibitions, art fairs and other special events.

: courtesy santiago calatrava, LLC

: Courtesy of Santiago Calatrava, LLC

: Courtesy of Santiago Calatrava, LLC

: Courtesy of Santiago Calatrava, LLC

: inside the airport

Cite:
Rosenberg , Andrew . "Denver International Airport South Terminal / Santiago Calatrava" 12 Aug 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 23 Feb 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/73110>

Comments (17)
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sudark says:

Im trying to find a way to say this without disrespect. But frankly, Mr. Calatrava, I am disappointed by this particular creation.

It looks like it was done by someone trying hard to copy you.. So in this case it is you trying to copy yourself but missing the mark somehow

# August 12, 2010 at 22:34

xmmot says:

thanks sudark. so will be honest: have n´t we seen enough calatrava. is there not a end. this goes on and on. same schema on and on. big scale, crossing lines, light, white …

and sudark, you are damn right- this is the peak. it enough, its over, the world says enjoy your live Mr. C. but pls not more buildings……..thanks!

# August 13, 2010 at 12:37

GW says:

Beginning with an aside: Anyone perhaps thinking of the rear view of a 1959 or perhaps 1960 (slightly differrent from the ’59) Chevrolet?

From the views provided, it is difficult to see any integration with the original design……like a good jazz soloist can choose to incorporate and build on the musical architecture of the solo preceding him/her, it seems to me that good architecture can, at least visually, build the new structure to be complimentary, and at the same time unique………

Does the visual of the giant gull wing seem to overwhelm the representation of the Front Range peaks that the Jeppeson terminal provides? Or is it just my uneducated sensibilty that finds this to be a blocky mess? Is it hot in here, or, is it……..?

# November 26, 2010 at 23:34

piyawee says:

For all the respect, this could be one of his worst.

# August 13, 2010 at 02:30

yimyim says:

Well looks like Calatrava has his ticket to the new world! At least its not all just bankers and politicians…. >_<

# August 13, 2010 at 02:51

alex says:

well at least the bridge looks good…

# August 13, 2010 at 06:35

up_today_arch says:

At the moment I can not find impressiv parts in this pictures… Just regular aeroport-barn…

# August 13, 2010 at 06:38

CMOARCH says:

Hopefully when they say preliminary…that means it’s gonna change….a lot. It’s not light enough, his stuff is always so light and delicate…this thing is so chunky?

# August 13, 2010 at 07:08

chauhuyphan says:

very big & white. it’s temple. Hi

# August 13, 2010 at 07:38

arnie says:

Chief virture: It hides–at least at close range–the big pointy original terminal.

That’s not much to say though about an architect of this
caliber. Kinda sad.

Bowtie facade is trouble,

in both literal gesture (wings, flight….)
and
composition of the whole
(i.e. really strained counterpoint to main terminal tents)

not to mention the indeterminate scale….

# August 13, 2010 at 09:46

AxeTB says:

Kind of gives me the same feeling as the train station in Liege.
Main aspect is just spanning the large area. I don’t think this is a worthy addition to SC’s repertoire at all, at least by what you can make of it from the renders.

I agree with CMOARCH that hopefully the design will change quite a bit. This airport should become a piece of architecture that has a meaning of its own, not just show what Calatrava has done in the past dozens of times.

# August 13, 2010 at 09:59

Els says:

i totally agree with you, AxeTB it feels out of place, a lot! an awkward structure in Denver, it seems that the bridge is trying to make a weak connection with the surroundings! lets hope for a change!

# August 16, 2010 at 06:28

nammitt says:

any idea what kind of software was used for that render/graphic? It’s flashy, but I’ve been to Denver and it’s not Denver.

# August 13, 2010 at 10:48

SPUD says:

way not good…

# August 16, 2010 at 03:22

ej says:

arnie, hiding the ‘pointy terminal’… that was a horst berger project, and it is very well-loved in denver, as homage to the mountains that define it…. the santiago winged monstrosity is sad in comparison.

# August 18, 2010 at 22:42

Will Rodgers says:

This design doesn’t seem to incorporate the climate of Denver. Denver is a very cold and harsh environment in the winter, and an open terminal with open train tracks may lend itself to very costly maintenance and frozen passengers.

# September 8, 2010 at 13:20

airporter says: