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Design that Uplifts: 9 Ways Architects Are Rethinking Hangar Design

Design that Uplifts: 9 Ways Architects Are Rethinking Hangar Design

Summer is just around the corner and with it, the start of what is expected to be a particularly busy air travel season.

At Ghafari, we understand the importance of the buildings and systems that support air travel. Specifically, we are one of the world’s preeminent designers of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities. In the last decade alone, Ghafari has planned and designed 40+ MRO centers totaling over 23 million SF. We grasp the intricacies involved with maintenance hangar facilities and deliver projects that promote productivity and safety and ultimately keep passengers moving.

We are honored that two Ghafari-designed hangars were featured in the Architizer article, “Design that Uplifts: 9 Ways Architects Are Rethinking Hangar Design”, which highlights the versatility and architectural impact of these vast utilitarian spaces. The showcased projects – including the Turkish Technic Line Maintenance Hangar in Istanbul and American Airlines’ Hangar 2 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport – demonstrate how hangars not only accommodate the needs of contemporary life but can also serve as iconic landmarks.

Our design of the LEED Certified-Turkish Technic Line Maintenance Hangar supports the 24/7 technical center with extensive daylight harvesting, advanced heating and ventilation systems, and resilient, reflective interior materials. The 248,000 SF facility accommodates all variants of Turkish Airlines’ narrow-body jets and wide-body intercontinental airliners with a two-sided solution that offers ultimate scheduling efficiency.

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For American Airlines’ Hangar 2, Ghafari’s planning team developed a dual-entry, flexible hangar concept, which maximizes the allowable aircraft parking positions while minimizing the total gross area of the building. The 194,000 SF facility also houses ancillary support functions, including a general back shop, a component staging area, and storage spaces. The project employs a number of sustainable features, including a high-performance building envelope, the use of daylighting, and high-efficiency mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Check out our projects for Turkish Airlines and American Airlines among the many interesting hangar projects in the Architizer article!

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