London Heathrow selects Grimshaw as designer for central terminal project

London Heathrow Airport has selected architectural practice Grimshaw as the concept designer of a new Central Terminal Area (CTA) for the airport’s proposed three-runway expansion project.

Heathrow said that Grimshaw won the tender process due to its visionary concept designs and unique ideas around the expansion of Heathrow in a sustainable yet affordable way.

In May this year, London Heathrow unveiled the designs of four architects shortlisted for the project, including Grimshaw, Zaha Hadid, HOK and Benoy. The UK-based practices were challenged to come up with bold ideas to create a world-class sustainable airport that would deliver innovations in passenger service, integrate local communities and showcase the best of British design.

Heathrow began looking at project partners for its three-runway system after Sir Howard Davies’s Airports Commission recommended in 2015 the airport in 2015 as the best choice for expanding airspace in the UK. In March 2016, Heathrow selected Arup, CH2M, MACE and Turner & Townsend as program client partners for the project should it be given the go ahead.

The British government postponed final approval of the expansion of the airport pending further investigations into environmental studies and then more recently, the appointment of a new Prime Minister and cabinet following the UK’s referendum on its membership of the European Union.

Barry Weekes, head of design at London Heathrow Airport, said, “We look forward to working with Grimshaw to develop their bold ideas so that once the government approves the Heathrow expansion, we can create a world-class sustainable hub airport which delivers for our passengers, our airlines and also helps to integrate Heathrow with our local communities. With the concept architect and program client partners now in place, we are ready to begin the process of expansion once the government makes the right choice for the whole of Britain.”

Jolyon Brewis, partner at Grimshaw, said, “We are passionate about designing a new future for Heathrow Airport, and setting a benchmark for sustainable infrastructure, [that is] skillfully integrated with the communities it serves. Heathrow has ambitious plans for the expansion of the airport and we are proud to be selected to help deliver this inspirational vision.”