Gaby
Rafael Viñoly Architects has revealed plans for a new terminal at Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport — and the roof will host a real vineyard. The firm says the terminal’s design will “reflect local production traditions.”
After the expansion, Amerigo Vespucci Airport, the second-busiest airport in Tuscany, will cover 50,000 square meters and is expected to serve more than 5.9 million passengers a year.
Named for the famous Florentine explorer, Amerigo Vespucci Airport dates back to the 1930s, with its first passenger flights taking off in 1940.
A Winery – A Unique Feature of the New Terminal
The architects plan a vineyard on the terminal roof that will span 7.6 hectares, with the vines planted in 38 rows. Designers and airport officials say they want a leading regional winery to run production; specialists from that winery will age the wine in cellars beneath the terminal, according to New Atlas.
Alongside the winery, the project calls for extending and realigning the runway. The runway will be moved slightly farther from the nearby hills, which currently restrict the operations of some modern aircraft.
The new terminal will place arrival and departure areas at its center. Architects say they will prioritize easing navigation for tired travelers, making the airport easier to move through.
Rafael Viñoly Architects also announced that the upgraded airport aims to achieve LEED Platinum certification. Large glass surfaces and abundant windows will maximize natural light throughout the building. Solar panels will be integrated across the structure, including within the vineyard. Rainwater collection and wastewater recycling systems will irrigate the greenery and supply the building’s potable water needs.
The project will be carried out in two phases: the first is scheduled for completion by 2026, and the second is expected to finish in 2035.
Rafael Viñoly Architects is named for its founder, Rafael Viñoly (1944–2023), an Uruguayan-born architect who lived in New York. Founded in 1983, the firm has offices in New York, Palo Alto, London, Manchester, Abu Dhabi, and Buenos Aires. Mr. Viñoly designed iconic buildings around the world, including 432 Park Avenue, one of the tallest residential buildings globally, which reaches about 426 meters in height.
