Rights Managed > Historic England > Industry > Engineering and Construction > Building airports and airfields
Final piece JLP01_11_30115_07
Filename: jlp01_11_30115_07.jpg
Size: 5051 x 5093 (5.3MB)
Date: 17th March 2022
Source: Historic England
Credit: © Historic England Archive. Joh
Copyright Status: Copyrighted Work
Source: Historic England Archive
Owner URL: https://images.historicenglandservices.org.uk/
© Historic England Archive
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Final piece JLP01_11_30115_07
STANSTED AIRPORT, STANSTED, STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET, UTTLESFORD, ESSEX. A crane lifting the final roof dome of the terminal building at Stansted Airport in to position as part of the topping out ceremony.
Laing Management Contracting was appointed consultant contractor for the Stansted development in October 1985. The development included new road access from the M11, a new rail link with London and the north, short and long term car parking, new taxiways and aprons, and a new terminal building with an automated passenger transit system. Work on site began in April 1986 and the new terminal, designed to accommodate 8 million passengers per year, opened in March 1991.
The terminal building covers 8 acres roofed by 121 square domes, each 18m square and weighing 12 tonnes. The domes were preassembled as units from steel lattice work and lifted on to the structural steel supporting trees, designed to maximise floor space for passenger circulation with as few barriers as possible. Triangular roof lights provide natural light and uplighters were concealed in the branches of the roof supports. The lower level houses the baggage handling system, building services machinery and the railway station. Paul Channon, Secretary of State for Transport, was given the honour of controlling the crane to place the final section of roof as part of the topping out ceremony. This photograph appeared in the March 1988 issue of Team Spirit, the Laing company newsletter
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24561625
© Historic England Archive
1980s Air Transport Airport Construction Geometric Silhouette Square Lift Norman Foster
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in the construction of Stansted Airport's terminal building. The image showcases the final piece, JLP01_11_30115_07, being lifted into position by a crane during the topping out ceremony. Laing Management Contracting played a crucial role as the consultant contractor for this ambitious project, which began in April 1986 and was completed in March 1991. The development encompassed various elements such as new road access from the M11, a rail link with London and other areas, extensive parking facilities, taxiways and aprons, and an innovative automated passenger transit system. The impressive terminal building spans across 8 acres and is adorned with 121 square domes that weigh an astonishing 12 tonnes each. These domes were meticulously preassembled using steel lattice work before being hoisted onto structural steel supporting trees to optimize floor space for passenger circulation. To enhance natural lighting within the terminal building, triangular roof lights were incorporated while uplighters were cleverly concealed within the branches of the roof supports. Additionally, on its lower level lies essential components like baggage handling systems, building services machinery, and even a railway station. A notable highlight of this historic occasion was when Paul Channon, Secretary of State for Transport at that time had been given the esteemed honor of controlling the crane to place this final section of roof during the topping out ceremony. This remarkable photograph appeared in Team Spirit - Laing company newsletter's March 1988 issue but has now found its place in Historic England Archive where it continues to preserve memories of this monumental achievement.
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