Showcasing Pampanga’s stunning landscape and culture, Clark Airport is a finalist in Prix Versailles design awards
Airports are funny places. We love some, we loathe others. They take on nicknames totally unplanned (The Asparagus for CDG, Mall with an Airport for SIN). We don’t mind waiting for hours in airports that are comfortable and beautiful, but with others we wait until the absolute last minute that we can check in to spend as little time as possible inside.
What if you were in an airport where you can look out to a mountain range in the distance—and a majestic mountain that seems so near on a clear, bright day?
Clark International Airport’s new P20-billion terminal building, the designers say, will make you want to go there early and enjoy the space and incredible views.
One of the six finalists in the 2021 World Selection of the prestigious Prix Versailles Architecture and Design Awards in the Airport Category, Clark’s new terminal building was chosen for its innovative qualities, creativity and design connection to the culture and heritage of its location.
Even with the fluidity of its state-of-the-art technology, this airport reflects a deep sense of place as it takes inspiration from the natural formations and surrounding landscape.
The five other finalists are Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (Germany), Athens International Airport (Greece), South Wing Hazrat Sultan International Airport (Kazakhstan), New Plymouth Airport (New Zealand), LaGuardia Airport, Terminal B (New York). The winner will be announced in the World Awards Ceremony at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris later this year.
What makes Clark different from other Philippine airports? After all, Legazpi Airport has incredible views of Mt. Mayon right on the tarmac, while in Bohol you can see the Chocolate Hills approaching Panglao Airport.
Well, Clark has both the technology and capacity of a modern regional airport at 8 million passengers annually, as well as the landscape of a rural one.
“Even with the fluidity of its state-of-the-art technology, this airport reflects a deep sense of place as it takes inspiration from the natural formations and surrounding landscape,” says Bi Yong Chungunco, CEO of the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp (LIPAD), the consortium in charge of the airport’s operations and maintenance.
Designed by the firm Populous as the lead interior designer and retail planner of the new terminal, this “sense of place” is deeply ingrained in the material palette that reflects the local area’s vibrancy, according to Populous architect Ben Dawson.
Dawson says his firm specializes in drawing people together for memorable experiences. Their previous projects include the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the Kansai Airport redevelopment in Japan, and countless iconic buildings around the world such as the 62,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspurs football stadium in London, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and the International Convention Center in Sydney.
“We brought our global expertise and quality to Clark but ensuring that it’s a truly local experience. Populous drew inspiration for the terminal from Pampanga’s stunning natural beauty,” Dawson says.
With passenger experience at the heart of its design, the terminal takes advantage of views of the Zambales mountain range and Mt. Arayat. The latter, as everyone who has ever driven on NLEX and SCTEX knows, is a magnificent sight towering over several towns in Pampanga.
Populous also avoided neutral colors as often seen in airports around the world and instead “created a strong sense of place—one that nods to the natural and cultural heritage of the area. At the same time, we believe there is a subtlety to the design. We aim to showcase the open ceiling and the incredible views outside rather than compete against them for attention.”
Built during the pandemic
The project was started in 2019, and when the pandemic hit in 2020 construction and site visits—at least for Dawson—halted for some time.
Architect Gaylord Bongalon of Casas+Architects, Populous’ local partner on the project, says it was up to them to implement the specifications based on the design.
Some of the airport’s thoughtful features are a dedicated OFW lounge, walk-through commercial section, gender-neutral toilets and elevators and escalators in each boarding gate—and generous spaces for immigration, check-in counters for 20+ airlines, luggage carousels, etc.
It’s such a satisfying feeling knowing that your building will be experienced by quite literally millions of people every single year. To me it’s the pinnacle of design is when it’s for everyone.
In these pandemic times when touching surfaces can carry health risks, Clark’s self check-in terminals are contactless. You just need to scan the QR code on your smart phone and do the check-in from your device. The baggage drop kiosks are also automated, which is how many airports abroad have been for years—just attach your tags printed from a terminal to your luggage and drop it off—no need to talk to an airline ground representative.
In the dining area on the mezzanine, they’ve also installed contactless ordering system, wherein your table has a specific QR code and you can order from any of the outlets, pay, and they deliver the food to you.
“Our vision is to revolutionize the way we travel and the way the world experiences flying,” Chungunco says.
Pampanga’s culture on display
The terminal’s floor color is gray, reminiscent of the lahar flows that destroyed several towns in the province following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, but is also a symbol of the province and its people’s resilience.
There is also blue—the color of the volcano’s crater lake, now a tourist spot. (I did the hike in 2019 and the lake is truly an incredible sight!)
But perhaps the two archetypes of Pampanga’s artisanal traditions are the colorful lantern and furniture. Every Christmas, nowhere is there a bigger concentration of colorful parols than in Pampanga.
The terminal will feature a 4-meter-diameter parol made by local artisans. Dawson says, “The terminal is all about showcasing the best of Pampanga, whether that’s furniture makers or local artists. We’re exploring whether we do not just one parol or two to three different sizes. I think it will be a real beacon—you should be able to see it from most parts of the terminal, kind of like a real anchoring point.”
As for the terminal furniture, they will be a mix of Swedish and Kapampangan pieces.
Artworks have yet to be decided on, but for sure in the events space there will be a traveling-type of exhibit. This flexible space has views of both Arayat and the Zambales mountain range.
Pinnacle of design
What does it mean for architects and designers to design an airport?
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” says Dawson. “Populous specializes in large scale buildings where many people come together. It’s such a satisfying feeling knowing that your building will be experienced by quite literally millions of people every single year. To me it’s the pinnacle of design when it’s for everyone.”
Chungunco says, “Our tagline is ‘Gateway to more.’ People ask us, gateway to more what? It’s up to you. The experience of our airport is about you, how you experience it. Maybe for you it’s the gateway to more commercial offerings, gateway to easier queues. I cannot wait for all of you to travel through Clark, and tell us all about your experience.”
