Why can’t airports just be standard or double maybe triple height, why do they have to be so big?
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Lower ceilings tend to create the feeling of being in a cramped space, which is something many modern renovation/construction projects try to avoid
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I don’t think there is any actual architectural reason, just aesthetics and design
Places with very high ceilings feel more roomy than ones with small ceilings, and airports get very crowded, so a more roomy feeling will make passengers feel better about the space.
Also you, as a passenger, only see a small part of the airport. There is a whole other ecosystem of people working and running the place, usually on floors above the bottom floor, which means the cieling is higher to allow extra floors
I used to build airports, there are two main reasons—humans generate 500 BTU each of heat. There are smaller airports with plenums and oversized HVAC systems but you’d have to localize the HVAC systems for each gate instead of just using chilled water systems before flights.
Taller ceilings help dissipate the heat around the entire building. Also, like someone else mentioned, airports are basically symbolic welcome mats to tourists & businesspeople alike so a great deal of expensive architecture goes into them. Some of the most expensive firms serve as the architects of record on them.
It isn’t just airports. Any place that is designed for crowds and gets lots of foot traffic has such architecture. Think hotel lobbies, atriums, office building lobbies, big box retail stores, convention centers. It helps with air flow and makes the space feel more roomy.
There are a few reasons for this. First, high ceilings allow for better ventilation, which is important in preventing the spread of airborne diseases. Second, high ceilings make it easier to store luggage and other items out of the way, and to move around the airport more easily. Finally, high ceilings help to reduce noise levels, which can be important for both passengers and airport staff.
Because in such hall constructions extra height is relatively cheap, lifting the roof higher doesn’t add much cost, but it certainly makes the place feel roomier and with a bit of effort much more impressive. It’s an ancient engineering trick, temples, churches etc do the same thing, it greatly eases sales no matter if you are peddling last minute tourist nick-nacks or a cult.
You clearly have not been to LGA before it was deconstructed. It felt like a 3rd world bus terminal; dark and oppressive. Thousands of people queuing up even in 12’ ceilings very quickly turns unbearable
Just to add to this already great answers, there’s also engineering reasons.
Think about the massive space luggage sorting machines occupy. You just see a belt with your luggage, but in rality this could get to multi-story level, not to say that in some airports luggage travles from one ent of the airport to another. HVAC, plumbing, cabling runs, all need to be easily accesible by maintenence workers, so just for that it easily adds a conventional story just for that reason. Think all the behind-the courtain stuff… Loads of administrative areas that you do not see are stacked on top pf another in semi conventional ceiling height.
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