Expertise
AVIATION
We are inspired by the ability of aviation to bring people together and to drive meaningful development. The airport is a significant and complex public building as well as critical infrastructure serving the connectivity of a city and region.
We see this as a natural extension of our desire to solve complex challenges through a balanced approach that allows us to meet the particular demands of the modern airport on its journey to becoming the green transportation hub of the future.
Aviation is undergoing a significant transformation to a more sustainable future and ZESO is contributing through sustainable design of buildings for aviation and responsible planning for the future that will enable the airport to continue to fulfill its vital role as a connector of people, culture and commerce in a manner which deals responsibly with the climate and resource challenges we face.
We intentionally work across the breadth of scope within aviation. We are involved in masterplanning, due diligence, analysis, building design, design for temporary environments and even furniture designed specific for the airport environment. Within the airport we also work across project types ranging from new terminals to piers, refurbishments and reconfigurations with both aeronautical and non-aeronautical functions. We also work on commercial projects that balance the aeronautical needs of passengers with commercial requirements that are essential for generating revenue for the airport.
ZESO has developed a particular interest in and focus on regional airports. These facilities are often the lifeblood of a region that may not otherwise be very well connected either culturally, socially or commercially to their surroundings. These smaller airports share many of the functional requirements of larger airports but also have unique physical and operational conditions that require a different mind-set when designing for them. We have been involved in the design and future planning of six regional airports in the North Atlantic region and are eager to bring this experience to new regional airport projects.
TRANSFORMATION
Our design for transformation derives from our hands-on experience in the craft of adapting the possibilities of a physical and programmatic context to new and meaningful uses. We see this as a natural extension of our desire to solve complex challenges through a balanced approach that allows us to meet the particular demands of an existing building.
A focus on transformation is a conscious choice for us to contribute to making a more sustainable world. Sometimes a new construction may be the best and most sustainable solution for a client, but often the refurbishment and/or re-purposing of existing buildings is the responsible way to ensure an efficient use of limited resources. We often find existing buildings ourselves and bring investors and developers together around a project that will re-use the building and contribute to its physical and social context through a conversion and renovation.
Transformation for us is the enhancement of a place or function through an intervention in the built environment now or in the future. This can be new building, re-purposing an existing building or planning for future adaption. Transformation also includes our clients needs, goals and aspirations into practical and inspiring solutions in the built environment.
At the basic level our transformation work builds upon the experience of key members of our team as craftsmen, in particular as carpenters. This experience has carried through later education and development as architects, constructing architects and project leaders and contributes actively to our design process. It enhances all of our work and is especially relevant when dealing with the transformation of an existing building. It provides a solid basis for understanding the structural and material nature and possibilities of the existing building.
It is our belief that an inclusive process involving developers, clients and end-users is crucial for the quality of the life we are creating a framework for.
By carefully mapping the users’ often-differing needs, and by involving all the stakeholders, we can gain knowledge, which can lead to functional solutions that create a sense of ownership towards the building project.
We have a holistic approach to social, cultural, environmental and resource related aspects. An element’s life cycle analysis and costing, mounting, dismounting and reuse, are always part of our deliberation when choosing components and materials. We endeavor to create a framework for community spirit and social interaction between generations as well as cultures.
Right from the beginning we look at maximising quality and value based on the financial possibilities and limitations of a project.
This helps establish the business case early on in the process and enables developers and business partners to set qualified priorities for the project.
We have a Nordic approach to architecture, and our process is based on the development and realisation of original architectural concepts. Functionality, the interplay between a building and its surroundings, as well as an optimal use of daylight and a calculated choice of materials, are crucial parameters.
We, already in the initial concept sketches, have a focus on how best to realise a project. Among other things, we analyse fire strategies, accessibility, building envelop, and the principles of construction, which are all included in our creative process. We constantly search for ways to optimise and innovate the building process, component design, as well as production methods.