The Sheward Partnership One Of The Nation's Leading Architectural Firms Designs New High Tech Security Airport Terminal At Harrisburg International Airport
The Sheward Partnership, one of the nation’s leading architectural firms with headquarters in Philadelphia, has designed the new airport terminal at the Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania. This $120 million terminal with 12 multi – use jet gates, features state –of- the- art security and has been designed to create a safe, and convenient environment for passengers.
(PRWEB) November 5, 2004 -- First New Terminal Designed and Built Post 9/11
Meeting Federal Security Regulations
The Sheward Partnership, one of the
nation’s leading architectural firms with headquarters in Philadelphia, has
designed the new airport terminal at the Harrisburg International Airport in
Pennsylvania. This $120 million terminal with 12 multi – use jet gates, features
state –of- the- art security and has been designed to create a safe, and
convenient environment for passengers.
“We are very pleased to have
provided our full architectural services to the Susquehanna Area Regional
Airport Authority (SARAA) for its Capital Improvement Project in increasing
flight capacity, efficiency of operations, state-of-the-art security and
comfortable passenger services,” said David Scheuermann, AIA Principal of The
Sheward Partnership. “The challenge for us was integrating post-9/11 security
with pre-9/11 passenger travel convenience.”
“We saw an opportunity to
develop a new airport terminal with the latest Federal security requirements,"
said Scheuermann. "There have been other terminals opened since 9/11 but
Harrisburg is the first to be designed and constructed to meet Federal
regulations and provide passengers a seamless travel experience."
"We
needed a modern terminal building to meet all the post 9/11 security
requirements while being efficient for the airlines, tenants and passengers that
use this facility daily," said Alfred Testa Jr., Director of Aviation,
Harrisburg International Airport. "The most important element of this terminal's
design is the flexibility it gives us to meet future passenger, concession and
security needs, without having to alter the core design of the building. Not
only does this building meet today's needs, but its capacity can easily be
doubled in any number of ways, if and when needed. A modern, comfortable,
convenient and safe facility is what the Sheward Partnership has delivered to
central Pennsylvania."
The new terminal incorporates a multi-million
dollar, state-of-the-art inline baggage screening system behind the ticket
counter. “ We designed the three-quarter-mile-long baggage handling system with
maximum efficiency in mind,” said Vic Thompson, President, Vic Thompson Company
of Fort Worth Texas. “ We have been able to achieve extraordinary results with
this new system, handling up to 530 bags an hour per machine. The new level of
operations reached has exceeded the industry standard, ensuring the highest
level of convenience and efficiency for both airport staff and
passengers.”
The new terminal was constructed in a Y-shape, very spacious
and open, making maximum use of passenger and pedestrian flow as well as natural
lighting. Passengers are easily able to understand the airport's configuration.
Where the old terminal featured just two lanes for check-in, the new terminal
can accommodate up to six check-in lanes.
As a final touch d'resistance,
the terminal also features the largest combined mosaic-terrazzo public art work
in any airport in the world. The work of art designed by Pennsylvania’s world
renowned mosaic artist and sculptor Charles Madden is located on the main
entrance floor of the new terminal building and is a 60' by 40' design of 63,000
shimmering Venetian Glass mosaic chips that have been combined with colorful
star burst shapes of terrazzo creating a celebration of Pennsylvania history.
"We were looking to make a statement from the moment passengers arrive
at the terminal," explained Michael Sheward, Lead Designer, The Sheward
Partnership. "The first thing they see is the canopy. It is a very dramatic
entrance to the airport, designed to give the impression of
flight."
"There's always been a love affair with the concept of air
travel," added Sheward. "In recent years it's been eradicated due to heightened
fears of security. With the new Harrisburg terminal, we wanted to provide
passengers a sense of security and a seamless experience, restoring the feeling
of confidence and getting excited about flying once again."
Created to
ensure ease of travelling, passenger amenities at the new airport terminal
include; Electronic Ticket Check – In Machines for travelers without baggage to
check, twice as many baggage carousels, along with a third – floor observation
deck for members of the public, over –looking the airport’s 9,500 – foot runway.
Additional amenities include women’s restrooms twice the size of men’s
restrooms, free wireless Internet access, as well as four smoking lounges fully
equipped with separate exhaust and air-filtration systems.
Connected by a
sky bridge and moving sidewalks, the 1.1 million square – foot ground –
transportation center and parking garage adjacent to the terminal has also been
installed on each parking level with the latest high-tech multiple security
cameras.
John Burns, Senior Vice President of The Burns Group
Engineering and Construction of Philadelphia stated “ We were pleased to provide
our engineering design and construction for the airport’s technology and
security systems including flight information displays, telecommunications,
public address paging system and electrical, air conditioning, heating and
sprinkler systems. We utilized for our engineering project, the latest high tech
systems combined with the best materials available in the field."
“The
terminal features a high level of passenger service, efficient operations and
enhanced security,” said Scheuermann. “ Harrisburg International Airport will be
one of the first U.S airports to effectively accommodate 100% in – line baggage
screening as well as being able to serve a wider range of aircraft than is now
possible. These improvements promise to position Harrisburg International
Airport for a growing share of the air travel market.”
The Sheward
Partnership’s next project with the Harrisburg International Airport is to
convert its old terminal into a modern office building that will assure a
unified campus feeling.
About The Sheward Partnership
Established in
1977, The Sheward Partnership, one of the nation’s leading architectural firms
with headquarters in Philadelphia, has developed a strong base of experience and
depth of knowledge in Architecture, Urban Design, Interior Architecture, Master
Planning, Design Build Services, Construction Management and CAD services. The
partners of the firm direct a talented and experienced staff of architects and
planners who work together on projects in transportation and civic facilities,
corporate interiors and exteriors and housing. www.theshewardpartnership.com
About Vic Thompson
Company
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the Vic Thompson Company has been
providing specific transportation security, design-build, general construction,
airport equipment support, and ancillary equipment services for airport and
commercial facilities since 1994. The company is proud of its staff and
reputation as professionals with over 70 years of combined design, equipment
R&D, manufacturing, and construction experience. The Vic Thompson Company is
comprised of four major divisions that work synergistically to provide a high
level of service and efficiency in all of its major fields of endeavor: the
Design – Build Group, the Airport Services Group, the Ancillary Equipment Group
and the Transportation Security Group. www.victhompson.com
About The Burns Group
The Burns Group provides professional design
and construction management and design/build services. The Burns Group,
consisting of Burns Engineering, Inc. and Burns Infrastructure, L.P. is a
consulting organization, driven to provide solutions that build their clients’
future. Burns Engineering, Inc. is an engineering firm that provides civil,
structural, electrical, and mechanical design services. Burns Infrastructure,
L.P. provides professional construction management and design/build services.
The companies are integrated to provide clients highly customized and responsive
construction solutions. www.burns-group.com
About the Harrisburg International
Airport
The Harrisburg International Airport is part of The Susquehanna Area
Regional Airport Authority (SARAA), the multi-municipal authority whose mission
is to serve the region by providing high quality, efficient airports and
promoting regional economic development. Incorporated in 1997 to manage and
oversee the economic development of Harrisburg International Airport and Capital
City Airport, SARAA represents the first-ever regional effort to govern both
airports and provide coordinated efforts to serve the communities of Central
Pennsylvania. SARAA board members are community leaders from the counties of
Cumberland, Dauphin and York, the cities of Harrisburg and York, and the
townships of Fairview and Lower Swatara. www.flyhia.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/11/prweb174861.htm