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.
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.
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- courtesy santiago calatrava, LLC
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- Courtesy of Santiago Calatrava, LLC
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- Courtesy of Santiago Calatrava, LLC
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- Courtesy of Santiago Calatrava, LLC
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- inside the airport
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
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!
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……..?
For all the respect, this could be one of his worst.
Well looks like Calatrava has his ticket to the new world! At least its not all just bankers and politicians…. >_<
well at least the bridge looks good…
At the moment I can not find impressiv parts in this pictures… Just regular aeroport-barn…
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?
very big & white. it’s temple. Hi
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….
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.
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!
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.
way not good…
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.
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.
I second that. Maybe that was reason why Calatrava’s concept was scrapped and will be scaled back. Sad news for DIA.