T4 Barajas

The new terminal T-4 consists of two buildings, the main building and its satellite, 1km apart and with a runway in between, an automatic and subway train connects the two buildings. The design of this new Barajas Terminal was awarded to the British architect Richard Rogers in collaboration with the Madrid-based Estudio Lamela. The concepts of operability, simplicity, economy, functionality and, above all, passenger comfort, were of paramount importance.

The main building of the T4 terminal is 1.2 kilometers long and 6 levels high, three above ground level and three subway, in a simple linear scheme, with a clear sequence of spaces. The undulating roof in bamboo material creates the perfect warm atmosphere for passengers walking inside. The exterior is also light and transparent. With a futuristic image, the terminal has large, bright lounges with glass walls and skylights. One of the accesses is on level -2 via an automatic train linking the terminals.

The building, which consists of four parallel volumes, adapts its space to the different stages of passenger processing, from the arrival point, entry and passport check-in, security checks in the boarding lounges and finally access to the aircraft, offering spacious, modern, functional and well-lit spaces.

The lower, enclosed levels of the terminal house the baggage processing, storage and passenger transfer areas between buildings. It is designed for both domestic flights and Schengen flights, those bound for European Union countries. With an operational capacity of 174 check-in counters and 40 aircraft contact positions are distributed in this space of almost half a million square meters.