Type
infrastructure

Source
project commission

Client
Slovenian Air Navigation Services, Ltd.

Address/Site
Airport Brnik, Slovenia

Site area
4566 m2

Building area
887 m2

Total floor area
5420 m2

Program
offices

Structure
reinforced concrete

Cladding
laminated reflected glass, alu-panels

Architect
SADAR+VUGA (Jurij Sadar, Boštjan Vuga, Mirjam Milič, Matjaž Bahor, Monika Rus, Petko Grabljič, Bellen Villan Fernandez, Andreas Cesarini)

The current Air Traffic Control Center (ATCC) was built in 2011 beside the Brnik airport and it consists of the ATCC in 4 levels and a garage house. Our solution includes the building of an extension annex center for air traffic control (Annex ATCC) on the land east of the current ATCC building.

The new annex has the same DNA record as the existing ATCC building. Therefore, the new annex also builds its character on the fact that there is an image in it, and at the same time, it does not repeat characteristics of the house that are predicted by its specific use. If the image of an existing house (so-called bunker that opens to be penetrated by daylight and, while ensuring the safety of the building, also allows a comfortable stay and operation in it) builds on the provision, the annex builds on camouflage, to visually minimise the presence of the object in the area.

The client decided to separate the building process into two phases because of the need to provide extra space to perform main activities, create new jobs, especially in the field of safety and cybernetics, as well as ensure enough room for new services and technologies. The first phase covers the current needs of KZPS and already has a set program while the second phase includes spaces for new services and technologies which do not have a clear program yet. For the second phase, we predict the spaces in the basement, setting only the volume above ground.

The office building (phase I) will be organised in four levels (basement, ground floor, 1st and 2nd floor). The building is designed in two wings. The ground plan is based on the logic of the current building and offers an optimal execution of work inside the building and a good connection to the parking spaces in the garage as well as a connection to the current building. The two wings include a service belt in the middle and offices around the rim. At the juncture of the wings, vertical communication is installed.

The wings of the new annex are attached to both wings of the existing building by a narrow passage. The wings of the new annex are positioned on site in such a way that non-interrupted views are achieved those from the existing as well as from the new building. The perimeter of the two wings is cladded, wrapped with the glass facade consisting of bronze reflective windows similar as in the existing building and straighten laminated reflective glass of parapets and shapes, which distort the reflection of the surroundings. Extensive green on all roofs of the wings continues the greenery of the surroundings and emphasises a camouflage effect of the building.

All the office areas have natural light but are protected from direct rays of the sun by the aluminium parapets and brise-soleils. The outside elements are designed according to orientation and sunlight angles.

The Annex ATCC facility has the same security regime as the existing one. The entire area of the existing building and extension will be fenced.