Low flying airport

Estudio Lamela was established in Spain 50 years ago. Its portfolio contains office buildings, sports stadia and residential developments. Undoubtedly one of its greatest challenges is now being realised with work under way on the expansion of Madrid's Barajas airport. When finished in 2005 the airport capacity will double, to 70 million passengers annually. Spanish figures claim that this will make Madrid airport the third busiest in Europe. Bullish about aviation Estudio Lamela's architects were given a budget of around EUR 1 billion , i.e. a quarter of the whole budget to develop the airport. They designed 6 car parks with a total of 9,000 spaces, a terminal and a passenger pier for embarkment. The terminal, though huge, does not overwhelm since its open structure imparts a sense of lightness. However, when you see it you immediately feel the Spanish influence due to the characteristic shape of the roof which evokes a bull's horns. Gro