The international air terminal was there before, but now its function has changed: the parliament is being transferred to the city from Tbilisi (its construction is already underway), so foreign politicians will fly there, and Georgian deputies will go from Kutaisi on business trips abroad. In addition, the new airport in the country's second most important city should contribute to the development of tourism, which is what the Georgian authorities are striving for.
The project consists of two parts - a new passenger terminal and a control tower with a tower. The terminal space of 4,000 m2 will be organized around an open courtyard in the center for departing passengers. Despite the presence of all the necessary elements (registration area, customs and passport control, waiting rooms, three boarding gates, etc.), the architects managed to clearly distinguish between the flows of arriving and departing passengers in such a small area.
Outside, the terminal is designed as a transparent 4-corner "pavilion" with matte colored inserts; the roof extension will provide protection from the sun's rays, and it is also planned to use gray water and hybrid resource-efficient ventilation. The method of "concrete core activation" will also be applied: pipes will be laid in the thickness of concrete walls and ceilings, through which water will be let in at the temperature necessary for heating or cooling the premises. In the case of Kutaisi, water will come from a natural source located on its territory.
The tower of the control tower will become a new symbol not only of the airport, but also of the city: its 55 m high streamlined volume, which is clearly visible from everywhere, will be covered with a translucent polymer that can change color depending on fluctuations in the flow of air traffic. The dispatcher's quarters at the top will be complemented by offices in the building at the base of the tower.
Construction should begin in December this year and be completed by September 2012.
N. F.
