The Airbus Delivery Center was intended as an emblematic group of buildings for an exceptional plane, the A-380. The Center forms a whole which through its main buildings and satellites aims at showcasing the new planes in their best light. A prism shaped central building acts as the main reception space where clients are presented with their new planes. The prism also acts as a distributing node leading the various users towards their respective destinations. more

The building is organized according to an extremely precise industrial process, while simultaneously proposing new spaces allowing visitors to discover the most advanced technologies developed by Airbus. The architectural concept offers the clarity of a linear master plan and optimizes circulation, security requirements, and future extension possibilities.

Lit at night by the colors of individual airline clients, the prism becomes a presentational theater for airline representatives upon delivery of each new aircraft. The prism has a stage, which opens up and reveals the new plane behind a large expanse of uninterrupted glass. Hence 500 visitors and professionals can hear and see all the necessary information concerning the plane while enjoying the perfect view of it. While the prism is built on three levels, with departure lounges, VIP rooms and dining halls, the double office wing is built on five levels with satellites on two levels, 19 meters wide and with a 7.20 meter structural frame and a 1.25 meter façade within.
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Credits

SCHEDULE
Competition Finalist, 2005
SIZE
23,000 sq. meters
BUDGET
23 million Euros
CLIENT
Airbus
TEAM
Lead Designer: Bernard Tschumi. Key Personnel: Veronique Descharrières, Joel Rutten, Jean-Jacques Hubert, Antoine Santiard, Rémy Cointet, Dominic Leong, Irene Cheng, Adam Dayem, William Feuerman, Kim Starr, Yang Yang, Matthew Hufft, Phu Hoang, Alan Kusov. Engineers: Technips TPS. Facade Consultant: Hugh Dutton Associates.
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Program: Infrastructure