BXL Oasis

KU Leuven - International Master of Architecture - Campus Sint-Lucas Ghent

Project idea

BXL Oasis:

An airport terminal in Brussels city, directly connected to the runway at Zaventam. The airport of 2040.

Project description

An airport of the future will not function the same way as it does today, or will it? This design sets out to tackle a ‘satellite’ airport in 2040 that fits into Brussels urban fabric.

Brussels(BXL) Oasis is a green aero hub in the city. An airport does not need to be next to a runway. Located in the North of Brussels in Schaerbeek(directly above the old train station), it aims to be a direct passenger connector to the existing Zaventam Airport.

This airport will breath new life into this northern Brussels residential district. The challenge by the tutor was to push the convention by sprawling over the railway with a dynamic yet functional shell.

The curved shell acts as a massive ramp that could be accessed from the sides to bring people onto the 1st level. The middle is a green oasis meant to connect people from all parts of the airport. The overall plan is split in 2, the north-east focusing on the airport service with the south-west being a business hub. The basement offers retail and entertainment solutions for the public. The ground floor will continue to service existing train networks.

Certain problems such as the flow of people from the land side to air side is also addressed through one-way human traffic flow that does not mix different passenger groups. Security and healthcare is also enhanced with provision spaces to handle potential outbreaks or terrorism.

Therefore, BXL Oasis is a ‘Satellite’ Airport that challenges the social norm of airports in Europe.

Technical information

Project: BXL OASIS
Description: Airport located above the rail tracks of Schaerbeek.
Type: Airport
Funding: European Union
Construction: Steel Frames
Total Length: 700m