Denver, CO (December 2017) -- Fentress Architects today announced the winners of the 2017 Fentress Global Challenge, an international design competition challenging young and student architects to envision an Airport of the Future for the year 2075. Judged by an esteemed panel of aviation and design professionals (see below), the winning designs “were very impressive in terms of both the quality of design as well as the use of technology, which was very innovative and creative,” per Curt Fentress, Principal of Design at Fentress Architects.
This is the sixth year that Fentress Architects has sponsored and administered the award, which brings a First Prize of $15,000 and a summer internship at Fentress’ Denver office; four additional winners will receive smaller cash awards.
And the winners are......
1st Place
Name: Thomas Smith
Citizenship: United Kingdom
College: University College London
This proposal for the O'Hare International Airport floats on lake Michigan next to the Iconic Navy Pier downtown Chicago. The design uses pods that passengers can enter and exit at the start of their journey. These pods are loaded into aircraft that use vertical takeoff and landing. The well-thought-out proposal outlines a sustainable and functional design. Judges particularly liked the challenge to the current airport along with thinking about a new type of plane, and were impressed with Smith's clear drawings and good research.
2nd Place and People’s Choice Winner
Name: John Cyril Isaac
Citizenship: Philippines
College: University of Santo Tomas
“The living airport” also known as the “intelligent airport” is equipped with a computer mainframe (brain) ran by an artificial intelligence program. It has the capability to progress itself by developing more adaptive and technically advanced systems. Its sensors in the control tower and different locations in the whole airport synthesizes, analyses, and elicits precise responses and solutions to the most common irregularities or complex concerns.
3rd Place
Name: Jia Hua Yapp
Citizenship: Malaysian
College: Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University
The Heathrow International Airport proposal outlines a new future for the airport, with a focus on accommodating future passenger growth. The design utilizes high speed trains to seamlessly move passengers. Ir integrates drones and advanced technology throughout the airport and incorporates a 5-story urban farming area and green spaces throughout.
People's Choice Winner
Name: Claudio Nieto Rojas
Citizenship: Mexico
College: Architectural Association Collage in London
This entry looks at the connection between cities and airports. The airport and terminal gates surround urban cores that are comprised of civic structures and mixed use buildings. The proposal takes into account the spatial relationship, security, transportation and modern airport systems.
The jury included Aileen Cho, Senior Editor at Engineering News-Record (ENR); Chester Chipperfield, freelance Creative Director at Boom Supersonic and former Creative Director of Tesla; Curt Fentress, Fentress Architects; David Brody, Founder and Chairman of XTI Aircraft Company; Khaled Naja, Executive Vice President for the Infrastructure & Development Division of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport; Kim Day, CEO of Denver International Airport; Michael McCoy, first recipient of t'/he Smithsonian’s Design Minds National Design Award; and Tom Allett, Editor of Airports International Magazine.
High-res versions of all of the imagery for these entries is available here: https://we.tl/XURtd2sCLC
About Fentress Architects
Fentress Architects has studios in Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Washington, D.C.; and London, U.K.. Founded by Curtis Fentress in 1980, the firm passionately pursues the creation of iconic public architecture; its buildings are visited by more than 450 million people each year. Fentress Architects is internationally known for innovative, award-winning design of airports, museums, convention centers, laboratories, higher education, civic and government buildings. Projects designed by Fentress have been honored with over 500 awards for innovation and excellence.
2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement
Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different.
Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.
This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.
Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.