New plans for a new airport in Florence have been unveiled.
Florence Airport could soon welcome an unusual feature on its roof: a 7.7 hectare vineyard.
american design studio, “Rafael Viñoly Architects” unveiled plans for a revamped international terminal at the Italian airport, including vineyards that will serve as a nod to Florence’s reputation as “the heart of Italy’s famous wine region”, Tuscany..
Although exact plans remain vague, architects say the future terminal will have an area of 50,000 square meters. It will be topped with a huge pitched roof that will be lined with skylights and about 38 rows of vines.
It would be the first airport vineyard in Europe. California’s Halter Ranch Winery has a private airport for licensed pilots and their wine-loving friends, but it’s a rare combination.
Will Florence airport produce its own wine?
Much of the wine production is likely to take place in-house.
“A prominent vintner from the region will cultivate the vineyards and the wine will be produced and matured in specialized cellars located under the roof of the terminal”explains the spokesperson for “Rafael Viñoly Architects”.
Under the vineyards, a large square is part of the terminal, which, according to the architects, will make passenger traffic more efficient.
The plans also call for the existing runway to be rotated 90 degrees, making it more suitable for modern aircraft, as well as improving outbound traffic links through a new light rail system.
“Rafael Viñoly Architects” announced that it would work with airport planners to build the structure in two phases.
The first should be completed in 2026, but we will have to wait a little longer for the second, which should not be completed until 2035.