Specially designed glazing and environmental management systems created an energy efficient solution for air-conditioning the vast public spaces

The Mott Consort-ium – comprising Mott Connell (our China business), Foster and Partners and BAA – was appointed in 1992 to develop a detailed working design for the passenger terminal of Hong Kong International Airport.

The consortium’s assignment covered management, planning, engineering design and preparation of tender and contract documents, followed by construction supervision and commissioning.

This immense task covered everything from the foundations, structure, tunnels, building furniture, interior fittings, air-conditioning, lighting and utilities to travelators, passenger loading bridges and systems for security screening, baggage handling and flight display. The design team involved up to 230 people full-time for two years – equivalent to over half a million man-months.

In July 1998 the airport opened. The 1.27km long terminal is the world’s largest single airport building, with a floor area exceeding half a million m². The terminal is a landmark project in terms of its sheer size, pioneering design, strictly controlled budget and fast-track programme. It provides unprecedented passenger convenience and maximum operational flexibility.

In 2006 Mott Connell was appointed to plan and design the North Satellite Concourse at the airport. This new development will cater for aircraft on short haul travel, primarily to mainland China. The building must be designed in and around this busy operational airport on a highly constrained footprint.

Meanwhile Mott Connell’s work continues on Skyplaza, an integrated multi-modal transportation and business centre developed as an extension to the existing passenger terminal. Their role as sub-consultant includes all below ground works, roads, elevated drop-off ramps, drainage, sewerage, utilities, foundations and the automatic people mover extension.