Rafael Viñoly Architects has unveiled new renderings for its innovative design of the new international terminal at Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci in Florence, the heart of Italy's renowned wine country.
Unique to the new terminal will be a 19-acre vineyard that gently slopes upward to embrace the sky-lit airport terminal. It will feature 38 rows of productive vineyards on the building's rooftop, contributing to the LEED Platinum sustainability rating, and symbolizing Italy's rich traditions and innovative spirit. A leading vintner from the region will cultivate the vineyards, and the wine will be crafted and aged in specialized cellars beneath the terminal's roof.
The new 538,195 square-foot terminal is expected to see over 5.9 million international passengers pass through it yearly. It will link the city and the region by multi-modal transport options, including a new light rail system that creates a swift and sustainable way for customers to get around. One of the project’s major features is reorienting the existing airport runway 90 degrees away from the nearby hills that limit the ability of many modern aircrafts to operate and to lengthen the inadequately short runway.
The new airport’s design also creates a sense of place and improves the passenger experience. By placing Arrivals and Departures facing each other across a large public space – a “Piazza” at the center of the new terminal – circulation into and out of the terminal will be streamlined, while also providing access to mass transit, parking and retail that serves the local community as well as travelers.
The project will be completed in two phases, with phase one anticipated to be completed in 2026 and phase two in 2035. This visionary project will be a landmark representing Florence's sustainable future and cultural heritage.
“Florence is maybe the only city in the world that does not need to be promoted,” said the late Rafael Viñoly, Principal and Founder of Rafael Viñoly Architects. “It represents the very idea of Culture; a culture that is productive, intellectual, artistic, and always practical and pragmatic. Florence is a place where things become permanent landmarks because they have a fundamental sense of internal logic and quality".
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Press release and images courtesy of Rafael Viñoly Architects
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