It has received widespread praise from BAA executives and its stakeholder partners for its innovative design and excellent quality.

The four gate lounges were designed for the longer-term introduction of the new Airbus A380 ‘giant-jumbo’ aircraft programmed to arrive at Heathrow in Spring 2006. They were initially planned to take the Boeing 747-400.

Roger Preston & Partners were commissioned to design all building services.

Low-energy systems
The new building uses the airport’s existing site-distributed high temperature hot water (HTHW) as its primary heating medium, and local air-cooled chillers to generate chilled water. A new HV sub-station has been established within the building footprint.

The main departure-gate lounges use displacement ventilation systems to help achieve the energy targets set by BAA. Other low-energy solutions were the use of chilled beams, an extensive lighting-control system reacting to natural daylight levels and occupancy patterns, and high performance glazing and brise soleil.

All plant is located at ground (apron) level to maintain the essential sight-lines required at the airport, while providing easy access for maintenance of the plant and equipment.