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Reimagining an island gateway through climate-driven design and the Open Airport concept.
Value Delivered
Project Overview
In 2019, 1PAX supported Vinci Airports in the successful concession process for Amílcar Cabral International Airport on Sal Island, one of Cabo Verde’s primary international gateways. The mission, extended into Phase 1B planning in 2025, focused on defining a development strategy capable of enhancing operational performance and passenger experience while responding to the island’s specific climatic and environmental conditions. With a capacity of approximately 2 million passengers, the airport plays a central role in the country’s tourism and international connectivity.
Key Challenge
The challenge was to improve service levels and passenger comfort while minimizing environmental impact and operational costs. Any expansion or refurbishment needed to be resilient, low-energy, and well adapted to Sal Island’s dry climate, stable temperatures, and limited rainfall, while supporting seamless connectivity and efficient airport operations.
Our Approach
1PAX contributed to the concession technical documentation and developed a design strategy centered on the innovative Open Airport concept. The proposal introduced environmentally responsible terminal extensions designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions, targeting near-zero energy demand.
By leveraging Sal Island’s favorable climate—characterized by natural ventilation potential and consistent temperatures around 25°C—the design eliminated the need for conventional HVAC systems. Lightweight structures, passive environmental strategies, and sustainable materials formed the backbone of the architectural approach, ensuring comfort, simplicity, and efficiency. The concept reinforced visual openness, intuitive passenger movement, and strong indoor–outdoor relationships.
