Oslo Airport Expands its Terminal with openBIM® and Environmentally Sustainable Design

Oslo Airport’s expansion plans provide for 32 million passengers and protecting the environment in and around the airport, aiming to reduce carbon footprint and make use of local materials and resources in the process. Oslo airport plays a crucial role in the economy and mobility for Norway. It is the main hub for international and local flights, connecting citizens and visitors to all parts of the country. A train station resides in the airport, providing around 70% of airline passengers with public transport to and from the airport. The expansion project planned to double the size of the existing terminal to 115,000 m2, adding a new 300m long pier.

Aas-Jakobsen was part of a team called Team_T responsible for the engineering, design and construction, comprising architects and engineers. The multidisciplinary design team applied a holistic approach to sustainability. They worked with local resources in the design and construction, with initiatives such as collecting snow during winter time, storing it and using it as a coolant in summer. Recycled steel and special environmentally friendly concrete mixed with volcanic ash were used throughout the project.

Project teams were also instructed to work collaboratively through common goals and exchange methodologies. The 120 contracts in place during the design and construct phases were mandated to submit BIM deliverables in multiple formats. The owner, Avinor AS, and the client, Oslo Lufthaven AS (OSL) recognised a changing landscape with regards to BIM and digital data.

The client required all data models to be handed over in both native and IFC formats. buildingSMART standards, such as IFC, were mandated as a means to deliver openBIM for the successful delivery and archiving of digital data for use in operations and maintenance. This bound the various project teams, contractors and software vendors into delivering genuine interoperability across many different applications, including like Revit, Tekla Structures, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, MicroStation, NovaPoint and Rhinoceros Grasshopper.

By adopting an openBIM approach, the combined teams were able to deliver on time and under budget. The airport is now more spacious and inclusive of the local environment. The project also achieved certification BREEAM NOR rating of “Excellent”. By choosing environmentally friendly materials, the building’s CO2 emissions were reduced by 35%. Furthermore, energy consumption at the airport has been cut by more than 50% compared to the existing terminal.

Download the full Avinor Team_T User Story for Oslo Airport.