Meet the designers of the city’s new front door

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This article was published 29/10/2011 (5437 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE prime consultant on the new air terminal building knows a thing or two about airports.

Including the new Winnipeg facility, Stantec has now completed work on more than 40 airports, including nine in Canada.

David Essex, principal at Stantec, said his focus was on enhancing the passenger experience.

“We tried to make the building as transparent as possible. When you walk in the front door, you know where to go intuitively, whether you’re processing your ticket, dropping off your luggage or heading through security,” he said.

The same principal applies for arriving passengers, particularly with the arrivals area, which is based on a train-station model.

“One of the key experiences when you’re arriving is allowing meeters and greeters into the area where you pick up your luggage. In a lot of airports, they’re held back from that zone and it’s often a low-ceiling and dark environment. In Winnipeg, you have a major atrium space with 55 skylights,” he said.

“When you get to the top of the stair zone, you’ll be able to see your meeters and greeters. It really is a great introduction and front door to Winnipeg.”