London-based studio Foster+Partners in a consortium with Buro Happold has won the competition to design the Solidarity Airport near Grodzisk Mazowiecki.
The airport, variously known as Port Solidarności, Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) or the New Central Polish Airport, is to be built in Stanisławów in Baranów district near Grodzisk Mazowiecki, about 40 km southwest of Warsaw.
Foster+Partners’ designs were chosen over proposals by such other global studios as Grimshaw Architects, Chapman Taylor, Zaha Hadid Architects, Benoy and Pascall+Watson. The winning concept entails the construction of a main key-shaped terminal in the first stage, similar in layout to that of Hong Kong International Airport, which was also designed by the studio. This would be followed in the second stage by an X-shaped terminal, with both terminals connected by a shuttle line. The studio was also responsible for the design of Beijing Capital International Airport, whose terminal is the largest airport building in the world.
We are proud and excited to be chosen by CPK as the designers of this project. In collaboration, we will work together to create a model for the future of totally integrated transportation design. We believe that this project will completely revolutionise travel across the country and beyond. The vision of woven architectural form is deliberately and strongly expressed. It could shape the building and guide the passengers through its spaces, while also serving as a powerful symbolic reference to Poland’s rich cultural heritage and the united strength of its people.
Grant Brooker, the head of studio at Foster+Partners
The concept also includes a ‘landside interchange plaza” with lush greenery and abundant natural light, which will act as a meeting or waiting place for travellers. The terminals will also feature simple, continuous vaulted roofs to “intuitively direct passengers from the plaza towards the aircraft”.
The initial plan is for the CPK airport to open in time for the 2027/2028 winter season, when it be able to serve up to 40 mln passengers a year, expanding to meet a 65 mln passenger target by 2060.
