Project Description
Sharing a close history with the LEGO brand, which originated nearby, Billund Airport offers an elegant expression of Danish design.
‘Only the best is good enough’ – the LEGO company motto could be equally applied to Billund Airport. Sharing a close history with the famous educational toy brand, the airport’s first runway (1961) was actually established by the LEGO company and the passenger base has since gradually expanded, including serving global visitors to LEGOLAND in Billund Resort.
The new terminal, launched in 2002 and designed to take passenger growth up to 3.5 million per annum, presents beautiful Danish architecture, emphasised by the extensive use of timber structures and finishes. In fact, the quality of the terminal design has even inspired the airport’s own LEGO limited edition model!
ORIGINAL PLAN
In 2010, at the point where passenger numbers were at 2 million, the security facilities were deemed to be inadequate. This was due to their location in a constrained area of the building at the upper gate departure level. There was also a surplus of commercial space at the lower check-in level.
AFTER RE-PLANNING
This scenario led to the relocation of the security comb to the lower level, removing the surplus landside space. This in turn created the opportunity to build a new walk-through duty free shop in the old security area, and to introduce additional specialist retail in the main dwell area airside.
Following the success of the planning stages, The Design Solution was appointed to design in detail the tax-free shop. The design featured a restrained palate in keeping with the architecture and culture of the airport. Our association with the airport continued in 2015 when we were appointed to design the concept for a new pavilion in the dwell area. This freestanding structure is inspired by the Danish use of curved timber and is designed to house new food and beverage facilities and a currency exchange.
