5.

1 Architectural System

Airports are well traveled public spaces with enormous number of people passing

through them daily. It is the very first thing a traveler sees before entering a certain country

or province. The architectural design should be properly considered, technically

exceptional, aesthetically pleasing and built with the highest standard of detail for the

enjoyment and convenience of the users.

 Curtain Wall System

A curtain wall is defined as thin, usually aluminum-framed wall, containing in-fills

of glass, metal panels, or thin stone. The framing is attached to the building structure and

does not carry the floor or roof loads of the building. The wind and gravity load of the

curtain wall are transferred to the building structure, typically at the floor line.

Point Supported Glass

Several means have been developed to restrain glass panels since this technique

has been developed for example small rectangular clamps, which are termed as patch

fittings, applied initially.

After that, T-headed bolts, which are inserted into a complete drilled hole in the

glass, used to keep glass panels at their position.

Then, countersunk holes are made into the glass in order to prevent the

appearance of metal fixture on the outside surface. It should be remembered that,

dimensions needed for countersunk hole influences the determination of glass panel

thickness.

Smart Glass

As air travelers know, one may spend more time waiting in the airport than they

usually do in the air. So it’s comforting to see science focused on making that time more

tolerable.
 A company called View makes Dynamic Glass that “intelligently

transitions through multiple tint states to control the sun’s energy, providing an enhanced

occupant experience, optimum natural light and superior thermal comfort.”

In other words, it makes a trip to the airport more pleasant. Imagine being able to

stay in one spot, after one find a seat, without worrying about being blinded by the sun.

The smart glass can reduce cooling costs, and have a positive effect on customer

experience and behavior from less glare and cooler temperatures.

 Polymer Flooring System

Polymerization is an advanced chemical reaction of two or more single

components, or monomers, combining to form a high-molecular-weight organic product,

called a polymer. In the case of a flooring system, liquid-polymer components such as a

sealer, coating or mortar are cured together, forming a solid film that repairs, protects or

enhances a concrete substrate surface. Examples of polymer flooring include epoxy,

urethane, urethane concrete and Methyl Methacrylate, or MMA resinous.

Polymer flooring protects concrete found in a variety of manufacturing and

industrial facilities from damaging elements including:

 Moisture

 Thermal shock

 High levels of mechanical and foot traffic

 Frequent Cleaning

Offering an excellent degree of flexibility, impact and chemical resistance and long-

term durability, polymer flooring is also non-yellowing under ultraviolet exposure.

 Acoustic Wood Panel as Ceiling Design

A well-designed airport is truly inspiring. Air travel has truly made the world a

smaller place. One can traverse the globe faster and easier. By necessity, a lot of people
going in and out of the airport requires the use of durable and washable floors, walls, and

railing.

The wood panels are hung from a suspension system that gives the illusion of

floating in air, which ties in with the open and airy design theme for the airport. The bright

finish of the panels creates contrast with the matte finish of the wood. The ceiling panels

help with wayfinding, noise mitigation, and help with the overall aesthetics of the airport’s

design.

Living Green Walls

No longer just of interest to architectural companies trying to win design awards,

they are gaining attention from businesses of all sizes looking to improve their green

credentials. This ultimate guide will introduce you to these beautiful structures of greenery

by answering the most common questions we hear asked.

Living green walls are panels of plants, grown vertically using hydroponics, on

structures that can be either free-standing or attached to walls. Living green walls are also

referred to as vertical gardens, green walls, living walls or eco-walls.

Living green walls are comprised of plants that are inserted into a growing medium

and then places on the wall of buildings and properties to provide greenery and the

benefits of plants, but using a minimum of horizontal space.

An Ambius Green Wall is made up of various proprietary systems which are

assembled in pieces on a structure which holds the plants and their respective growing

mediums to the wall. Some of the Green Walls created by Ambius also include a system

that allows the plants to be watered automatically. Ambius Living Green Wall products use

a variety of plants in their creation, based upon clients’ needs and a number of factors that

go into installing and maintaining them.

Green walls are constructed much the same way actual walls are. They are built

with a skeletal structure that is hung with sections containing the plants and flowers that
will make up the Green Wall. As for the way the green wall functions itself, a lot depends

on the type of Green wall system installed. Some green walls have hidden pipes which

will provide a self-watering mechanism to keep the plants healthy, while others require

hand-watering.

As for how the benefits of Green Walls impact your business that comes from the

living plants themselves. Plants naturally take in carbon dioxide and other pollutants and

then expel fresh, clean oxygen. Green walls also help dampen noise and provide benefits

connected to biophilic design: the concept that people work better and feel better when

they have access to nature inside their places of work.

How do green walls help the environment?

Green walls help the environment in the same ways that plants help the

environment. Plants help clean the air. They help reduce noise pollution because they

have noise reduction capabilities. They reduce the amount of carbon monoxide in the air

and filter out pollutants by breathing them in and then exchanging them for clean, fresh,

clear oxygen.

Can living green walls reduce energy costs?

The build-up of urban environments has caused a worrying side effect. Termed the

urban heat island effect, research has found that metropolitan areas are considerably

warmer that rural areas. This increase in temperature has a negative impact on the

environment; from increasing energy demands in the summer to air pollution and

emissions. Living green walls help to offset this problem by providing shade from the

effects of direct sunlight. Also, unlike brick or concrete, plant surfaces don’t store up solar

energy, but reflect it. Both interior and exterior walls help to actively cool the air in summer

by a process called evapotranspiration, reducing the need to cool the building. But the

advantages of green walls don’t end with summer. The panels, including the growth
media, insulate the building and reduce energy costs for heating the building in winter as

well.

How do they help to reduce noise levels?

Plants have long been used to reduce noise levels on freeways and other noisy

roadways across North America and Europe. Living green walls expand on this idea.

Vegetation naturally blocks high frequency sounds while the supporting structure can help

to diminish low-frequency noise.

As the use of green walls increase, this could significantly change in urban

environments. Eradicating the din of the hustle and bustle we have had to adapt to.

Indoor Gardens

As the importance of passenger processing recedes into the background, the

airport will embrace a new role as destinations in their own right. Part of this means

ensuring they're attractive, environmentally-conscious places to visit – which is why

airports are increasingly bringing the outdoors inside.

Elements like waterfalls, indoor woodland and even walking trails will give

passengers with pleasant places to relax and reflect, and further take the stress out of air

travel.

"I think we’re likely to see airports reflecting the destination they serve more and

more. Many travelers are looking for something different – they’re looking for an

experience – and this includes what happens at the airport." – Ryan Ghee, Future Travel

Experience.

Urban green living is a lifestyle in which individuals living in an urban

neighborhood, such as in an apartment or condo, are able to be earth friendly even in their

small space. By incorporating indoor gardening, you have the ability to live a more natural

and greener life in the airport through indoor plants and container gardening. Aside from
the benefits of living a green lifestyle, indoor gardening has a host of benefits as opposed

to traditional gardening done outdoors.

Controlled Temperature and Environment

When you grow herbs or plants indoors, you have the ability to control the

temperature of your garden. Some herbs don’t do well in an overly cold environment, or

one that is spoiled with rain, wind, or improper sunlight. By growing your garden indoors,

you have access to a controlled temperature, keeping your garden safe from wind and

rain, and only allowing sufficient sunlight.

Green Living Benefits

Aside from the benefits of indoor gardening as opposed to outdoor gardening; you

also have additional advantages of living a greener life through indoor gardening. For

instance, when you have plants indoors, they emit oxygen into the air allowing for cleaner

air that will keep your family and pets healthy. Additional benefits include a convenient

and local source of food, the ability to educate children about growing their own herbs,

plants and vegetables, and a natural air filter.

Water Management

Water is essential for life. Although 70% of the Earth's surface is covered with

water, our planet’s freshwater reserves are scarce representing only 3 percent of the

Earth's total volume of water. The effects of global warming such as droughts and melting

ice caps will further reduce the availability of drinking water.

Water usage also contributes to climate change through the energy consumption

that is required to process and treat drinking water.

Rainwater collection systems are a type of a sustainable building practice that

captures rainwater for reuse in landscape irrigation. Another sustainable building practice

that contributes to water use reduction is the use of water-conserving fixtures such as

urinals, water closets, and metering faucets (infrared).

 Water efficiency practices may include:

 Installing flow rate regulators for wash basins in selected areas of the airport to

reduce water usage by 66% from 6 litres per minute to 2 litres per minute.

 Installing taps with water saving devices such as on-off sensors.

 Educate tenants to use water efficient fittings in their premises.

 Introducing low-flush toilets with treated water from STP being used for flushing.

Indoor Water Features

In landscape architecture and garden design, a water feature is one or more items

from a range of fountains, pools, ponds, cascades, waterfalls, and streams. Before the

18th century they were usually powered by gravity, though the famous Hanging Gardens

of Babylon are described by Strabo as supplied by an Archimedean screw. Other

examples were supplied with water using hydraulic rams.

A water feature may be indoor or outdoor and can be any size, from a desk top

water fountain to a large indoor waterfall that covers an entire wall in a large commercial

building, and can be made from any number of materials, including stone, granite,

stainless steel, resin, iron, and glass. Most water features are electronically controlled,

ranging from simple timer actuators to sophisticated computerized controls for

synchronizing music to water and light animation.

Water features often offer additional benefits to people, such as increased curb

appeal, home value, reduced noise pollution (due to the sound of water overpowering

outside noise), increased humidity in dry regions and improved air quality.

Water Features is a good relaxing view for the people specially waterfalls. But what

if water features will be used for rain harvesting system? Rain waters collected from a

reservoir can be transmitted to a water feature by a motor producing a relaxable view and

awesome animation brought by dancing lights.

Noise Management

Aircraft noise management is an important challenge for airport operators

worldwide. The extent to which the community is affected by noise is determined by a wide

range of factors including aircraft type, timing of operations, air space management and

proximity of noise generating activities. Noise occurs as a result of airline operations,

ground support activities (engine maintenance, re-fueling, baggage loading/unloading and

re-provisioning of aircraft), airfield maintenance and site development activities. The Living

Wall system and indoor garden can help in minimizing the amount of noise coming from

the outside.

5.10 Waste Management System

Waste management has become one of the most pressing environmental issues.

Reducing, reusing and recycling can help reduce the environmental impact by cutting

down on the quantity of primary raw material used. Reducing the amount of waste and

increasing the percentage of waste recycled can be utilized through the following means:

 Placements of recycling bins to encourage airport users to recycle waste

through these recycling bins to promote and create greater awareness of

recycling efforts.

5.11 Landscaping System

Landscaping plays a huge role in airport structures. There are three main criteria

for sustainable landscaping for both Airside and Landside areas:

 Minimize Wildlife Hazards

 Increase Landscape Sustainability

 Safety and Security

Landside Landscaping Criteria

Plant Selection:

1. Plants that do not attract birds and

2. Plants that tolerate dry soil condition.

Landside Landscape Uses:

Areas where aesthetics will play a larger role such as the terminals, roadway

approaches to the Airport, landside normally-occupied buildings/facilities, and other areas

of high visibility to the public must be designed using low-maintenance plants where

possible.

Airside Landscaping Criteria

Plant Selection:

Airside plant selection criteria were similar to Landside criteria with the following

exceptions:

1. Mammal-attracting species of plants especially birds

2. No trees of any kind are to be used anywhere within the Aircraft Operations Area

3. Mass planting of shrubs or hedge rows are not allowed. Shrubs may be used only

as ornamental specimen plants at any normally occupied airside building or

parking lot. Shrubs are not to places in open areas of the airfield. They must also

be maintained at a height no greater than 6 feet. Shrubs that mature at a height

less than or equal to 6 feet are preferable to reduce maintenance.

Airside Landscape Uses:

1. Airfield Turf Areas - Areas of the airfield that are within 600 feet of any active

runway or taxiway are to be planted only with turf grasses. Mowing heights and

frequencies are to be strictly enforced within these areas.

2. Ornamental Airside Landscaping – Areas where aesthetics is a higher priority,

which include terminals, normally-occupied airside buildings/facilities, and the like.

 Examples of these uses include parking lot islands, roadway medians and/or

roadsides, planting beds, large planter containers, building outdoor courtyards or

common areas.

Benefits of Landscape:

 Cut the summer energy cost dramatically.

 Protect the structure from wind and summer sun.

 Helps to control noise and air pollution.

 Helps the soil to be firm and holds during rainy seasons.