Arup’s work on the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SGIA) in Istanbul, Turkey, has been recognised in the Engineering category of Popular Science magazine’s 2010 Best of What’s New Awards.
Announced in its December issue, released on 16 November, this is the third Arup project to be highlighted in recent years, following China Central Television Headquarters (CCTV) in 2009 and the Chinese National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) in 2006.
Popular Science is the world’s largest science and technology magazine; with a circulation of 1.3m and 6.8m monthly readers. Each year, the publication reviews thousands of products and innovations and chooses the top 100 across 11 categories for inclusion in the 'Best of What’s New' issue.
SGIA, which opened in October 2009, proved a natural contender for an Engineering award as it features the largest seismically-isolated building in the world, designed and constructed at record speed.
In just 18 months, Arup’s global airport planning and engineering team, in collaboration with Dogan Tekeli Sami Sisa Mimarlik Ofisi (Architect) and LIMAK-GMR JV (Contractor), helped create the most technologically-superior structure of its size in the world.
Atila Zekioglu, Arup Principal and seismic expert for the SGIA project, said, "Using our international network of experts in London, Istanbul and Los Angeles, Arup shattered industry standards to redefine what is possible. As a result, the SGIA terminal project is recognised globally for its superior earthquake safety features and completion in record time."
"The airport terminal is designed to save lives and property. After undergoing extensive testing and 14 quake simulations, we are confident the design will safeguard a major financial investment and preserve an international transportation system so that it may continue functioning if an earthquake strikes."
Arup’s airport planners, designers and engineers also developed solutions for SGIA’s specialist airport systems, including baggage handling, passenger boarding bridges, vertical circulation, façades and lighting.