Customer Reviews

Airport Builders

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a refreshing change to the typical airport-architecture text. The days of airports being uninspiring transport interchanges are numbered, with this book demonstrating full-page glossy photos of 40 or more of the world's most recent developments including Chek Lap Kok and Kansai. Good photography and clearly written, it was a pleasure to read.

As the architecture correspondent for The Times (London), author Marcus Binney travels the world in search of new directions in design and important building achievements. "Airport Builders" stands as a fine compilation of the most impressive airport-related projects to come out of architects' shops in the 1990's.

The beginning section of the book presents a discussion of the primary considerations in airport design today (number of floors, terminals and satellites; carparking, landscaping, etc.) which is thankfully neither ponderous nor overly casual. Following are overviews of 46 airport and terminal projects, with interesting and easy-to-understand descriptions of the problems overcome in each design process, structural considerations and noteworthy aesthetic features for each airport.

This is a book written for architects by an architect, as evidenced by the wealth of plans, elevations, model views, artist renderings and computer-generated perspectives. Each airport/terminal project takes up between two and ten pages (Denver International gets the most), including text, photos and illustrations. The most superb photographs are the large color ones which show innovative roof and ceiling concepts, exterior perspectives, and exquisite interior spaces formed by glass and structural elements.

Aside from being enjoyable to read, the book is well-constructed and printed on quality paper.

I was looking for a decent airport architecture publication, and I found Airport Builders to be an informative and beautiful book. It contains a large collection of recent and future airport construction projects (and their respective design firms) from all around the world, and covers each in exquisite detail. Some of the airports included are Denver International, Chek Lap Kok, Kansai International, Charles De Gaulle, and London Stansted, among many others. Almost all of the projects higlighted include technical schematics and renderings. Large color photos are also abundant. Anyone with an interest in commercial aviation or airport architecure should definitely give this a look.

As a serious airport architecture enthusiast, this book is about as good as you'll find. Superb drawings, photographs and models and very good text. A real valuable addition to your library!