CPK Awarded Foster + Partners The Master Architect Contract

On 10 November 2022, Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK, Central Communication Port) has completed the most awaited tender related to the construction of Poland's new airport and signed an agreement with a consortium of Foster + Partners and Buro Happold Limited, whose bid was found to be the most advantageous in the proceedings for the selection of a Master Architect (MA).

Its main tasks include designing the passenger terminal building, railway station and public transport interchange. Additionally, the consortium led by Foster + Partners will participate in CPK consultations with key stakeholders and potential general contractors.

“CPK is one of the largest infrastructure investments in our part of Europe. Despite its huge scale, we are executing it in compliance with the schedule, reaching milestones one by one. Today we mark one of the most important – inauguration of the cooperation with the Master Architect, who will have the most spectacular influence on the shape of the new airport. I am confident that it will not only look great, but will provide the best passenger experience, putting them at the heart of the design”, says Minister Marcin Horała, Government Plenipotentiary for CPK.

The value of the contract (including the tasks covered by the option right) is 696 million PLN (around 150 million EUR). The concept design of key CPK buildings is expected to be ready as early as the middle of 2023, and all other design services will be provided within two and a half years from the contract conclusion date. 

Foster + Partners' bid was selected from among the companies shortlisted for the competitive dialogue: the consortia Zaha Hadid Architects and WSP UK Limited; Dar Al-Handasah and Perkins & Will; Vidal y Asociados Estudio de Arquitectura, Weston Williams + Partners LLP, gmp International GmbH as well as Kohn Pedersen Fox. 

One of the main assumptions of the design is expandability and modular construction, enabling the airport to be built and operational by 2028 and ready to serve up to 40 million passengers and then expand seamlessly to meet 65 million passenger target in 2060.

The first design ideas of Foster + Partners include a landside interchange plaza that is animated by lush greenery and flooded with natural light. People congregate in this vibrant space before travelling or welcoming visitors. The plaza connects the hub’s three main modes of transport: air, rail and road.

It acts as the focal point of the scheme and supports the shift towards more efficient and sustainable means of travel. The plaza will also be able to accommodate future emerging technologies. The final design will optimise passenger experience making the facilities accessible and inclusive. The functional and flexible layout, with minimal level changes will allow for efficient and seamless passenger flows and optimised transfers.

 CPK is a new transport development program in Poland - a strategic investment that is extremely important for the economic development of the country and the region and, of utmost importance, the security of Europe as a whole. It's a great infrastructure project on an incredible scale to integrate air, rail, and road transportation quickly and efficiently.

The CPK project includes, among others, rail investments: a transport hub at the airport in the centre of Poland and a network of new railway lines, mainly high speed, with a total length of nearly 2,000 km. This will make it possible to travel between Warsaw and Poland's largest cities in no more than 2.5 hours. The first preparatory construction work on new CPK airport is planned to begin in 2023.