Fort McMurray International Airport

The new Fort McMurray International Airport creates a meaningful portal for visitors and residents of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in Northern Alberta. The region is host to a burgeoning oil industry that has created a large population of transient workers who fly home between work cycles. From 2012-13 airport traffic increased by 25%. To accommodate this unprecedented growth, the Airport Authority commissioned the $258-million green-field airport, complete with a terminal building, aircraft apron, taxiways, approach and parking. The airport design was inspired by the region?s spectacular geography and defined by the constraints of building in a remote location with a limited skilled labor force and seasonal temperatures range between -40 and 86F. The new, 160, 000 s.f. terminal responds with a modestly and directness that resonates with community that it serves. Its low-slung form echoes the Prairie landscape. Its weathered steel panels are evocative of bitumen. Its mass timber structure and acoustic wood walls recall the Boreal forest. Its feature screen evokes both the forests and the Northern Lights. Its acoustic wood walls underscore the natural environment. Wherever possible, measures were taken to build with less. Most significantly, an exposed roof structure comprised of cross laminated timber and glue-laminated wood beams minimized the construction duration, costs, and carbon footprint, while creating a warm canopy. To date it is the largest application of CLT in North America. The airport's robust volumes are layered to facilitate expansion through simple extrusion and with minimal disruption to operations. Unlike conventional airports, passengers are greeted by generous day-lit spaces with direct access to a landscaped courtyard. Each seat contains a cup-holder, power and USB plug. A sprung floor anticipates and accommodates technological upgrades. Signage and flight information is neatly integrated in centrally controlled electronic displays for easy updates and information clarity.