An open call for "visionary master plans" has been released by the governing body behind both New York's JFK and LaGuardia airports. Three winning submissions will be selected, and reimbursed for the documented costs of creating the plan, up to $500,000.
The competition, organized and underwritten by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, seeks to establish a better, modernized airport experience for New York and New Jersey passengers.
The area is especially challenged geographically, as airport expansion is severely limited given the urban nature of these airports - there's just not much space to expand the airport footprint to accommodate a larger airport re-design.
This is especially important as the design brief (available here) calls for plans to focus on an "aerotropolis" that creates a full city experience around the airport. This would include hotels, conference centers, medical facilities, industrial warehouses and more in a world-class "Airport City" that would act as an aviation anchor.
The idea here is to compete directly with other world aviation centers, such as Dubai's new World Central, which is a sprawling, technologically advanced aviation hub built on open land south of the city - a build that would be impossible in New York.
In addition to working within the limited parameters of an existing footprint with little room for expansion, the Port Authority has tasked teams to consider how technology can be used to improve the overall airport experience, including:
State-of-the-art amenities to offer best-in-class customer service and a diverse dining, entertainment and retail experience.Overall upgrade of facilities across-the-board to modernize the airport.Leveraging cutting edge technology to improve the passenger experience.
The design brief also asks teams to consider technology and design with an "emphasis on environmental sustainability and building resilient infrastructure in order to prepare the airport’s facilities to withstand extreme weather and other threats."
The judging criteria include innovation in design, operational and financial feasibility, community impact, and the impact of passenger amenities and customer experience.
The deadline is January 30, 2015, and interested parties are asked to email the Port Authority for more information. airportdesign@panynj.gov.
NB: Plane image courtesy Shutterstock.