The new integrated terminal building of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata has been awarded for ‘Excellence in Built Environment 2013’ by the Indian Building Congress.

A prestigious award

The airport has also won the IBC trophy for the project, a statement by the airport director said in Kolkata on Thursday.

"The new integrated terminal building has been widely appreciated for its creative architecture, cultural-in-build aesthetic, built environment and passengers' friendly state-of-art Terminal Building in Eastern India," the statement said.

Union Minister Girija Vyas presented the award to B P Sharma, city airport director, at a function organised by the IBC under the aegis of Ministry of Urban Development on February 7 in New Delhi.

Past glories

Earlier last year, the new integrated terminal building at Kolkata airport had been adjudged an engineering marvel, bagging the second highest jury award at the prestigious competition organised by Engineering Watch, a professional publication dedicated to the engineering community. The airport had also been declared as the second-most impactful engineering marvel.

An engineering marvel

The 1,80,000-sq metre terminal that can handle 20 million passengers a year was developed by the Airports Authority of India at a cost of Rs 2,300 crore. Designed by international architect firm RMJM, which has studios in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US, the sprawling terminal integrates cutting-edge technology with unique cultural qualities.

North-facing roof lights and a central courtyard flood the interior with natural light. The large front window, shaded by the overhanging roof, is also a ventilated double wall that removes heat generated from sunlight. The roof is designed to harvest rainwater.