foster + partners to extend marseille provence airport

foster + partners has won a competition to extend marseille provence airport in the south of france. the plans will allow the hub to serve up to 12 million passengers per year (excluding the airport’s MP2 terminal), a move designed to future-proof the development until 2046. connecting the site’s ensemble of buildings, the expansion forms the ‘missing piece’ of richard rogers’ 1992 extension. ‘marseille airport has grown extensively and incrementally over the last 60 years,’ says grant brooker, head of studio, foster + partners. ‘our goal is to design a generous pavilion that reconnects all parts of the existing buildings, simplifying the flow of people between them and creating a new welcoming gateway to the region.’

all images courtesy of foster + partners / video courtesy of marseille provence airport

the first phase of the project involves creating a new ‘coeur’, or ‘heart’, that rationalizes arrival and departure sequences within a single building. this takes the form of a 22-meter-high glazed hall that features a continuous grid of glass skylights. ‘clad with stainless-steel, the skylights act like giant lanterns, bringing natural light and air deep into the building,’ explains foster + partners. ‘large indoor trees bring a sense of calm to the space, helping create a relaxing environment.’

the scheme rationalizes arrival and departure sequences within a single building

all departing passengers move through security screening on the first floor, before passing through a large multimedia screen. from here, travelers encounter a large double-height space populated with shops, restaurants, and seating areas. the project’s second phase will include an additional pier with 12 boarding bridges, which will be predominantly prefabricated offsite and erected on a fast-track schedule.

the 22-meter-high glazed hall features a continuous grid of glass skylights