Comair Simulator Buildings
The design language for al three the simulator buildings is the same, although the accommodation in each building is different. Pilot training for Comair and other international aviation companies are done by Comair in these buildings, which consist of simulator spaces, lecture rooms, conference rooms, offices and a cafeteria. All technical areas were specifically planned for the requirements of each simulator. Workshop areas and spares store rooms are shared between the buildings.
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The curved roof structure allows for the correct height in the centre of the building to accommodate the total envelope of the simulators when they are in motion. The sides of the building are lower and hosts the training rooms, offices, cafeteria and other service rooms, supporting the operation of the simulators. All three buildings are orientated directly north to allow maximum daylight on the northern and southern facades to penetrate deep into the simulator open spaces. Sun control louvers on the outside of the northern glass facade protect the simulator halls from direct sunlight.
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When the second simulator building was built, a new main entrance on ground floor was designed with a link between the existing and new buildings on the first floor. The design of the entrance link was based on the shape of an airplane fuselage which posed a lot of design challenges, but collaboration between the consultants and the contractor made the vision a reality. This entrance link was shortlisted in the tubular steel category for the 2011 Steel Awards.
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When the third building was designed, a new entrance with access control was incorporated as well as a cafeteria. In the cafeteria the sound absorbing panels were cut into the shapes of airplanes as a fun reference to the function of the building. Both the reception counter in the link between Simulator buildings A1 and A2 and the new counter in A3 were designed to complement the buildings and interiors. Lighting plays a big role in each building, but especially in the third building where LED strips were used to illuminate the halls to add an airiness to the building's appearance.
