Bodrum International Airport

Balance of Light and Shadow

Defined as “non-place” according to Marc Augé, the terminal building is one of the most typical examples of standard spaces you can see all around the world. Although such buildings are accepted to be the embodiment of globalization and super-modernity, Bodrum Airport aims to get rid of the pressure and monotony created by compulsory standards and becomes a special spot, not only for travel, but also significant to the region it connects. Composition of secondary elements and finishes create the atmosphere of holidays and soothe the passengers, whereas the primary elements have clear directions and a strong official organization proving easy circulation of passengers within the terminal. The sense of wealth created with minimum use of columns, high ceilings and optimum daylight received through sides and roof relieves the tension of journeys event at the most depressing straits such as the security search and passport check points. Four terraces provide the opportunity to be at open air even after controlled entrance to the building. Accessing the terminal by the glass bridges, passengers pass over a green landscape arranged with banana and olive trees, daphnia and paper flower, all favorable for Bodrum climate. The suspended ceiling made up of light-weight aluminum rods facilitates the maintenance process of the mechanical systems behind it. The integrity and one-piece impression is enriched by the harmony of material, supported by opaque, screen printed or sheer glass and local natural stone on different directions of façades. Use of local black marble on the floors emphasizes the effect of continuity and depth in the terminal.

Bodrum airport is a transition point between regional effects. The airport is 40km to Bodrum center and 8km to Gulluk which is the closest sea coast. The building is located between the present domestic and international terminals, parallel to the apron.

The building consists of two main structures, namely, the “air side”, a transparent glass and steel linear scaffold to which the planes connect and the terminal building at the “land side”. Two structures intersect where the passengers leave the “national” area, emphasizing the passage.

On the south, in the terminal entrance/exit side, partially screen printed sheer glass and opaque glass applied and local natural stone wall in east and west directions of the building.

Thanks to the special extra clear glass use at the north direction of the apron side, overlooking landing and takeoff of aircraft, and the scenery of the meadows up to mountains can be viewed behind the uninterrupted glass, hence a holistic internal-external relation is provided. At south, east and west directions of the air side, the use of serigraphic glass allows daylight in a controlled manner; mild veil effect supports temperature control.

The passengers reach to the departure hall using the viaduct with a direct access from the open car park, and via two towers on the viaduct. Wide column shafts (24 meters) of viaducts grant daylight to diffuse into interiors; wide open scenery rid of columns enables a clean view.

There are meeting desks for incoming passengers, waiting areas, café, WC and kiosks for immediate needs next to the towers; the organization enables the tourist coaches to meet the passengers comfortably.

Composition of secondary elements and finishes create the atmosphere of holidays and soothe the passengers, whereas the primary elements have clear directions and a strong official organization proving easy circulation of passengers within the terminal.

Steel columns, that carry roof trusses and the roof, form the main structure of the building; therefore minimum column use in the interiors provides uninterrupted and spacious areas. Load bearing columns, left as exposed concrete for aesthetic purposes, grant a feeling of safety. The sense of wealth created with minimum use of columns, high ceilings and optimum daylight received through sides and roof in the interiors relieves the tension of journeys event at the most depressing straits such as the security search and passport check points.

The suspended ceiling, designed by Tabanlioglu Architects especially for Bodrum Airport, consists of aluminum rods in the shape of reeds that refer to local sources and weaving loom of the region. Basic motive is derived by the combination of 4 different modules, each weights only 3.5 kg. Besides the first application process, the light weight of the material facilitates the maintenance process. Texture of the ceiling hides mechanical systems, such as ventilation, electricity, fire sprinklers and lighting. With a reference to Bodrum sea, deep blue reflection behind the slits enriches the 3-dimentional effect. In the terminal, where the net height is 9 meters, natural light diffuses through the 18 light holes filtered through the suspended ceiling.

Besides the ceiling height and the continuity provided by aluminum elements, the use of local black marble (mined and processed in Yatagan, 40 kilometers from site) on the floors increases the effect of continuity and depth in the terminal. The integrity and one-piece impression is enriched by the harmony of material, supported by the natural stone and glass on the exterior façade, as well.

Passenger friendly seats, designed by Tabanlioglu in corporation with Nurus, especially for Bodrum Airport, comfortable for even laying down, placed at all areas; that relax and soothe passengers between flights.

In an air¬port where thou¬sands of vis¬i¬tors takes a in-dept case study of the visual envi¬ron¬ment, design and placement of airport signs & wayfind¬ing sys¬tems guides the travelers stream smoothly.

Four terraces at land and air sides provide passengers the opportunity to be at open air even after controlled entrance to the building.

At building entrance, thanks to double direction circulation provided from the first control point, intensity of the flow is balanced; this scheme enables the administration to keep one wing as a reserve capacity during low season, in order to lower the maintenance and operation cost.

In the terminal which hosts 8 bridges, one of the bridges serve with double blowers that enable connection of large airliners. Accessing the terminal and aircrafts by the glass bridges, the passengers pass over a green landscape arranged with banana and olive trees, daphnia and paper flower, all favorable for Bodrum climate.

In order to keep clear and simple the roof arrangement, which can be watched from the flowing traffic coming from Bodrum and also from the air, the mechanical systems placed in the basement store, therefore the night effect of roof lights are enhanced.

Capacity of the airport, which was 1.5 million passengers per year, increased to 8 million, and 5 million passengers is expected at the first stage.

There is an open park area with a capacity of 114 buses and 426 cars, of which a large part is reserved for tour buses meeting passengers as the airport generally receives charter flights.

Bodrum International Airport is planned in the most effective fashion in terms of technical infrastructure as a mechanical structure; the use of local materials supports the environmental harmony of the structure and made the construction feasible and facilitated the construction process.

Defined as “non-place” according to Marc Augé, the terminal building is one of the most typical examples of standard spaces you can see all around the world. Although such buildings are accepted to be the embodiment of globalization and super-modernity, Bodrum Airport aims to get rid of the pressure and monotony created by compulsory standards and becomes a special spot, not only for travel, but also significant to the region it connects.

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