Zhukovsky International Airport, Moscow region

MArchI, Moscow Architectural Institute – State Academy

Project idea

The project is implemented under the development program of Zhukovsky Airport with the aim of expanding the existing airport, increasing passenger flow, relieving the Moscow aviation hub, improving transportation accessibility, and enhancing infrastructure.

The concept of the terminal is based on a modular cellular structure with the arrangement of internal open spaces, incorporating eco-platforms. Each platform corresponds to a specific zone or function of the airport, having separate entrances and fire lanes.

The internal green eco-platforms serve multiple purposes: they help reduce noise levels, improve the ecological environment of the airport, positively impact the emotional state of individuals, and provide a place for travelers to relax.

The modular cellular structure is one of the ways to facilitate the development of airports through module-blocks. This terminal design can be adjusted to accommodate larger or smaller facilities, suitable for both southern and northern regions.

Project description

The airport is located in the southeast of Moscow, 23 km from the Moscow Ring Road (MKAD). Connectivity with the region is facilitated by the light metro system within the framework of the Moscow Central Diameters project. Additionally, a direct tram line connection has been developed from the MCD "Otdykh" station to the international airport building, providing a faster and more convenient public transportation route.

According to the master plan, the area designated for the airport terminal design is situated in the southern part of Zhukovsky and covers an area of 60 hectares. It is proposed to clear the territory, relocating industrial facilities to the adjacent industrial zone of the Narkomvod district. The cargo terminal and experimental construction plant will be moved closer to the Gromov Flight Research Institute to ensure efficient transportation flow for private and cargo vehicles and to prevent their intersection.

The master plan includes the airport itself and the surrounding area, which features landscaping and designed parking lots. The entrance to the site is located on the northwest side from the city of Zhukovsky. Three lanes are provided for incoming vehicles, two for private vehicles and one for public transportation, with the same number of lanes for outgoing traffic.

Functionally, the airport is divided into the following zones:

Transport hub zone
Administrative zone
Customs zone (domestic and international flights)
Baggage claim zone (domestic and international flights)
Arrival and departure zones (domestic and international flights)
Arrival/meeting zones (domestic and international flights)
Hotel zones (domestic and international flights)
Office zone

The main volume of the airport combines the functions of a transportation hub and an entrance hall with ticket counters, check-in areas, and baggage drop-off points. The transportation hub is located in the center and serves as a hub for two types of transportation. Underground tram lines connect it to the existing MCD "Otdykh" station, and electric buses are also utilized. Only electronic types of transportation are used. The transportation hub serves as a central core, dividing the airport into two parts: the domestic and international flight areas.

The main administrative office, which serves as the airport management center, is located on the central axis.

The structure of long cells allows for optimal technological and technical separation of passenger flows, creating logistic efficiency with separate streams. Important autonomous zones for customs services and security checkpoints are located in these internal corridors.

Passengers then enter the departure waiting area, which includes duty-free shops, a food court located on the mezzanine level, restrooms, and mother and child rooms. Duty-free and the food court are connected by separate stairwell-lift nodes and have their own technical corridors for convenient supply. The arrival hall is located below the departure level and leads passengers to the baggage claim area.

The baggage system consists of conveyor belts that start in the check-in area and extend to the technical area below the departure and arrival halls. Here, the airport service retrieves the baggage and distributes it to the aircraft. Unloading takes place in the same technical zone, and the baggage is delivered to the baggage claim areas for passengers. Elevators are provided for oversized baggage.

Exit vestibules allow passengers to exit to the street or use public transportation at the transportation hub. They house waiting areas for arrivals, a small food court, car-sharing and taxi counters, or ticket counters for high-speed trams and electric buses.

The airport project includes separate office spaces, isolated from the main airport building. These offices can be used by various companies that require headquarters in close proximity to the airport for easy access.

A separate hotel zone is also integrated into the project. The hotel has its own separate entrance and is not directly connected to the main airport structure due to transportation security policies. This secluded hotel area offers accommodation for passengers who require overnight stays, while maintaining distance from the main airport operations, making the stay more comfortable.

Technical information

The airport's structural system is a combination of different elements. The load-bearing framework consists of a spatial system formed by columns, load-bearing walls, beams/trusses/frames, and slabs for intermediate floors.

The airport is structurally designed as several blocks of varying heights, separated by expansion joints on paired vertical load-bearing structures.

In the transport hub area, double V-shaped metallic columns are used to support metallic spatial arches due to the large coverage area. The maximum span of the arches in this area is 30 meters, with a spacing of 24 meters between the arches over the transport hub. The roof structure of the transport hub is designed using a cross-bar spatial structure system known as the MARHI system. It relies on large metallic spatial arches and provides a robust structural configuration.

In the "transition" zones such as passport control, customs control, security screening, and baggage claim, composite variable-section I-beam metallic frames are used. The column height is 15 meters, and the beam spans 30 meters.

The spans of 12 meters between the frames are constructed using rolled I-beams with a height of 60 cm and a spacing of 3 meters.

In the arrival and departure halls, the structure consists of reinforced concrete pylons and metallic trusses. The pylon has a section of 600x400 mm and a spacing of 12 meters. A cantilever projection is used where the facade extends. The cantilevered part is monolithically integrated with the main structure of the pylon. The spans between the pylons are formed by metallic trusses with a height of 2.2 meters, with a maximum span of 22 meters.

In the hotel, office, and administration areas, a column-and-beam reinforced concrete framework is utilized.

The roof covering materials employ a system called "riverclack," which consists of aluminum alloy 5754 (marine alloy) with a non-combustible mineral wool insulation supported by steel beams and trusses designed using hot-rolled I-beams.

The facade solution comprises structural thermally-insulated glazing and cassette-type aluminum panels. It is intended for use in large facade structures and horizontal roof structures.