Carmelo Airport | Uruguay

In order to align with the institution's rebranding and overall update, Gómez Platero Architecture & Urbanism was commissioned to conceptualize six projects for the departments of Colonia, Paysandú, Durazno, Salto, Rivera, and Cerro Largo. While each project presents its unique characteristics, the overarching proposal for the group focuses on giving the buildings a cohesive identity, making the entire operation easily recognizable. This is achieved through architectural design choices, the incorporation of distinctive colors, and the integration of graphic elements, all carefully tailored to each context to create a visually striking, dynamic, and contemporary image.

Carmelo Airport is part of a series of smaller buildings (alongside Paysandú and Durazno), each with a total floor area of 600 square meters. Given the absence of significant pre-existing elements, meticulous planning was required to determine the layout of the terminal, runway, and adjacent buildings within the rugged and natural surroundings.

Inside the building, the space is organized around a circuit that separates departures from arrivals. Both converge at one end in the main passenger service hall and at the other in the duty-free area, which alternately serves as a welcoming space for passengers or a pre-boarding waiting area. Circulation occurs at the facade level, with the intermediate area of the floor housing a core for control activities, while the two sides accommodate offices and supplementary services.

The architectural design of the building, like that of other airports in the system, is characterized by its simplicity and adherence to a straightforward construction system. Additionally, the oblique lines on the facade, the substantial overhang, and the sloping planes contribute to a dynamic aesthetic that aligns with the speed and movement inherent in the program. Meticulous attention to structural connections, facade panels, drainage systems, and other construction details has allowed the conceptual ideas from earlier design phases to be successfully realized in the executive project.

Serving as a distinctive landmark within its natural environment, the building presents a scalable and repeatable model applicable to the various contexts within this intervention. The strategic use of graphics and color, coupled with careful consideration of architectural elements, harmonizes with client requirements, site-specific characteristics, and the specialized program, ensuring that each new building is perceived as a significant milestone within the broader system in which it resides.  

Visual Communication and Signage Proposal 

As an integral part of the design, a clear, functional, and cohesive signage system was developed to reflect the identity of the project. The system combines high-contrast graphic elements, legible typography, and intuitive visual coding to facilitate wayfinding and ensure smooth passenger flow throughout the building. Its design meets accessibility standards and enhances the overall user experience, aligning with the architectural language and institutional identity of the airport, while remaining adaptable to other nodes within the national airport network.