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Vancouver International Airport: Construction

Vancouver
British Columbia

The moment frame of the Vancouver International Airport was designed for seismic conditions.

The moment frame of the Vancouver International Airport was designed for seismic conditions. Columns at the fabrication shop. A WF section was used, with some modifications. In the fabrication shop at Empire Iron. Lowering a column onto its base connection. A truck loaded with pre-painted steel arrives at the site. A crane begins to lift one of the column sections. The crane continues to lift the column into place on the site. A closer view of some of the steel framing in place. The crane lifts a combination moment-frame and suspended walkway section. The lift of a single moment frame. A view of the grey painted suspended walkway section in place. A side view of the suspended walkway showing the stabilizing tension rods. A view of the suspended walkway before the rods have been tensioned to level the piece. A view of the suspended walkway system from below. A close view of the tension connection of the rods to the suspended walkway. Paired tension connections at a change in the walkway. A skylight is preassembled before lifting it to the roof. The skylight frame is now in place. A view down onto the construction from the air traffic control tower. Roofing in progress. An interior view showing one of the steel "trees" in the terminal. Aerial view looking toward the air traffic control tower. An ironworker stands on a platform to perform some finishing operations. Overall aerial view of the airport during later phase of construction.

Project Description Project Team

Project Description

The three-storey, 105,000 m2 airport facility confirms Vancouver's reputation as Canada's foremost gateway to Asia, and one of the world's most popular transfer points for connecting flights to North American and European destinations. International and transborder passengers enjoy streamlined security and check-in facilities, advanced baggage-handling technology, a diversified concession court, short walking distances, and an interior design enlivened by British Columbia's scenic outdoors and aboriginal art.

Projected to serve more than 10 million passengers annually by the year 2010, the $350 million expansion program also included the construction of a third runway, and provided additional capacity to the overcrowded, existing terminal, temporarily converted to domestic use, before its recent (and continuing) replacement with a new facility. The attractive and functional design was honoured in 1996 as the winner of the CISC Steel Design Award for the British Columbia region.

photos: Empire Iron

The Construction of Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver International Airport used an Architecturally Exposed Moment Frame system to provide both seismic stability for the terminal as well as to define the architectural character of the new terminal building. The project used an integrated effort between Architectura (now Stantec Architecture) and Empire Iron, to resolve design and erection issues for the building.

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