The Circle at Zurich Airport | Zaha Hadid Architects - http://www.arch2o.com/the-cir...
"The Circle at Zurich Airport that is designed by Zaha Hadid, takes this dynamic fluid shape in respond to two urban conditions. First, the compactness of the form and the continuous adjacency to the airport from one side. Second, is to maximize its perimeter, for the purpose of embracing the nature and taking the maximum advantage of views. The River ‘flows’ as a continuous curve on one side, as a convex erosion on the other – within, ‘interior urbanism’ promotes interaction between different program elements, incorporating three major ‘canyon’ voids to define entry points and circulation routes. A top level open plan streetscape houses retail, cafes and restaurants. (...) The building’s “interior urbanism” encourages interaction amongst different programmatic modules and sharing of facilities open to the public, whilst maintaining a practical vertical stacking for each module, aimed at rationalizing services and circulation. (...) While Clarity of access is of paramount importance, with access to both horizontal and vertical circulation within the complex. These will be related to three major atriums or “canyons” cutting through the building section and merging in the top floor. These “canyons” cover three critically important functions: to highlight the major circulation elements (both horizontal and vertical) , to indicate main entry points to the complex, and also to create a variety of floor plans that fit the mixed uses of the building." - Amira