Project Description
The Design Solution first became involved with Bristol airport shortly after the new terminal received planning permission in 1997. Bristol was our third airport client after Gatwick and Heathrow.
Our involvement in the development of the airport continued for over two decades and culminated in helping the airport to plan for a new capacity of 10 million passengers.
The terminal has responded to huge increases in overall demand from the low cost carrier revolution and space required for security operations. It remains one of the UK’s most loved regional terminals and stands as proof that good commerce and a fine passenger experience are not mutually exclusive.
INTERIOR DESIGN OF TERMINAL
“The latest expansion at Bristol has moved the airport into another league. The additional space has delivered quality facilities for passengers; new bars, restaurants, cafés and shops offer much more choice, with a series of visual events delivering a real uplift to the passenger experience.”
Robbie Gill, Managing Director, TDS.
2000 OPENING OF THE TERMINAL
From the outset, radical ideas had to be adopted. With the planning permission limiting the height of the terminal and it being undersized for the amount of commercial space that could be incorporated, the original terminal was lowered into the ground by 1.5 metres. This enabled the introduction of the airside mezzanine for food and beverage. The terminal was originally designed for separate domestic and international departure lounges.
2008 RELOCATION OF SECURITY
Within 3 years from the terminal opening, low cost carriers were operating and an inititive was undertaken to turn the landside food & beverage at the mezzanine level to airside to alleviate the pressure on space. The first major change however was to re-locate central security to a new location to the west, which enabled the airside area to be replanned to create a single lounge. Duty Free was relocated more centrally and in the old security location.
2014 PIER & SECURITY EXPANSION
As passenger growth continued, more pressure was put on security. The void over the arrivals hall was in-filled to enable security to be expanded towards the northern façade. This coincided with the expiry of the duty free contract. The terminal was further re-planned to include a walk-through duty free shop. The pier was constructed on the apron and linked to the mezzanine through bridges over the airside road.
2015 DEPARTURE LOUNGE EXPANSION
The projected passenger numbers created the potential for additional commercial space and the requirement for a larger departure lounge. The terminal was expanded to the east, with more shops at the departure level, new escalators and lifts linking to the additional mezzanine space used for further food & beverage, CIP Lounge and an outside terrace.
2016 SECURITY AND DEPARTURE LOUNGE EXPANSION
Security had yet again become congested, the terminal was expanded to the west to deliver 10 new security lanes and two further fastrack lanes feeding into the walk-through duty free shop.
2018 FURTHER EXPANSION TO THE WEST
In 2018, The Design Solution was appointed to further expand the terminal to the west to create additional commercial space at mezzanine level. This expansion, along with other operational proposals, are currently under review.
