Venice gets a makeover: the Marco Polo grows (in style) and aims for zero emissions
Those who fly often know: the airport experience can make all the difference. And for those who routinely transit Venice Marco Polo [...]
VCE
Those who fly often know: the airport experience can make all the difference. And for those who routinely transit Venice Marco Polo - Italy's third-largest intercontinental airport - there is good news on the horizon. Work has begun on the expansion of the passenger terminal, north side, with a structure that promises to combine aesthetics, functionality and sustainability.
A new wing for Schengen flights (and a view of the lagoon)
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The double-pitch roof is now a reality, a sign that the 64 million euro project has reached a crucial stage. The new building - 14,300 square meters of airy, light-filled space - will rise next to the current terminal and will be connected by an elevated corridor. It will directly overlook the aircraft apron and the lagoon, offering - at last - a Venetian view even before takeoff.
It will be dedicated mainly to Schengen flights and will respect the aesthetics of the existing terminal: brick, wood, Istrian stone, and that unmistakable double-pitch profile inspired by the "tese" of the Arsenal. Basically: a terminal that looks like a postcard of the Serenissima, but with a modern soul.
Mind-boggling numbers
The new glass facade-150 meters long by 20 meters high-will be longer than a soccer field. The glass? Low-emissivity, to cut down on heat, glare and waste. The roof is an engineering marvel: a 4-kilometer-long steel lattice structure, 380 tons in total.
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The terminal will be developed on four levels:
- Basement for warehouses and logistics;
- Ground floor with 4 gates for remote boarding via bus;
- Second floor with 6 gates and 3 finger piers;
- Second floor for relaxation, shopping and dining;
Comfort and sustainability (not an oxymoron)
The architecture will not only be beautiful to look at, but also smart: dynamic ventilation systems that adapt to the number of passengers present, walls that combine glass and insulating materials to optimize light and temperature, and a geothermal heat pumps which uses foundation piles to heat and cool the building.
Stormwater will be reclaimed, the light will be almost all LED adjustable according to the sun, and each pier will have 88 photovoltaic panels, totaling more than 100 kW produced on site. The goal? Zero emissions by 2030. And if you think these are just words, know that all this is already part of the operational Master Plan.
What changes for those who fly
Specifically, for us frequent flyers, it means:
- More gates = fewer queues, less stress;
- new lounges? Nothing official yet, but the spaces are there;
- shopping areas up to the mark: international brands and local products for less mundane pre-flight shopping;
- improved dining and relaxation, with spaces designed for those with time to spend (and points to earn).
The president's comment
Enrico Marchi, president of SAVE Group, summarizes it this way, "We are building a modular terminal that grows with traffic and looks at service quality. More space, less CO₂, more comfort for passengers and an architectural style in continuity with the city."
In short: Venice is preparing to become even more of a port of call that lives up to its reputation. And we are ready to tell you about it gate by gate.
