TECHO furnishes Bratislava airport
Extensive windowpanes behind a large steel grill and a spacious airy interior. These are the main characteristics of the newly built terminal of Bratislava Milan Rastislav Štefánik airport, which replaces the original terminal from the 1970s. The emerging terminal was designed by Prague architects AGA Letiště and has the feeling of a super-modern space in which everything has its place.
The interior of the unique terminal building was furnished by TECHO with furnishings in a white-grey finish with contrasting features in red. In addition to waiting areas this dynamic combination is also used in the restaurant areas, bar, cafes and VIP saloon. According to Peter Kantor from the Bratislava branch of TECHO, it was a non-standard arrangement that required exceptionally demanding planning and implementation.
The modern interior spaces of the airport terminal also pay homage to history, in particular thanks to the ever present symbols of aviation from the era of M. R. Štefánik. An interesting backdrop to the departures hall is a wall depicting the life and work of the renowned Slovak leader, pilot, politician and general. A unique interior element is a full sized model of the Caproni biplane – the plane in which Štefánik died in 1919 when returning to his homeland. The covering of the check-in counters made from steel cable and stretched elastic textile are intended to evoke the aviation atmosphere and stylishly compliment the individual motifs.
The total value of the order, on which TECHO cooperated with Bratislava based firm Milieu Architects, was almost 350 thousand EUR. „Our objective was to create a light and airy atmosphere that would make the time spent in the terminal as pleasurable as possible for passengers. Thanks to the design, variety and functionality, the new terminal provides passengers not only comfortable travelling and shopping, but also a certain artistic experience. I believe that the time spent at the airport prior to departure will be seen by passengers as a pleasant start to their holiday or business trip,“ commented Boris Schultz of Milieu Architects.
The construction and overall reconstruction of the M. R. Štefánik airport terminal started in mid December 2008. The first stage, during which part of the building will be completed with a capacity of up to 3.5 million passengers a year, should be finished in the summer of 2010. The second part will involve the demolition of the old part and will result in a capacity increase up to 5 million passengers a year. This second phase should take place between 2010 and 2012. We are confident that TECHO will also be involved in this.
The general contractor for the entire construction is ZIPP Bratislava spol. s. r. o., which won a tender on the basis of a budget for the construction work of around 93 million EUR.