Deauville Terminal Saint-Gatien-des-Bois by Ferrier Marchetti Studio

At a time when aviation is regaining momentum—even amid escalating environmental concerns—the design of airport infrastructure must undergo a fundamental transformation. The Deauville Terminal represents a bold response to this challenge: an architectural vision that seeks to redefine the standards of resource efficiency, material sustainability, and user experience in air travel.

This new terminal is more than just a point of departure or arrival—it is a pilot project in sustainable aviation infrastructure, acting as both a functional gateway and an environmental statement. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Norman landscape, the terminal marks the first step in a larger initiative that positions Deauville Airport at the forefront of carbon-positive transportation design.

Designing for a Low-Impact Future

At the heart of the Deauville Terminal is a commitment to reducing environmental impact through a multi-layered approach that addresses both the embodied and operational energy of the building. By prioritizing the use of timber and bio-based materials—locally sourced and low-carbon—the project sets a new precedent for airport construction in both France and beyond.

These materials are featured prominently in both the exterior envelope and interior finishes, imbuing the terminal with a tactile warmth and natural elegance that contrasts sharply with the cold, industrial language typically associated with air travel infrastructure. The result is a terminal that feels closer to the landscape than to the machine, seamlessly integrated into its rural context.

Intelligent Energy: Real-Time Responsiveness

A central innovation of the terminal is its finely calibrated energy management system, designed to adjust dynamically in response to real-time occupancy and usage patterns. Rather than over-engineering systems for peak capacity, the building uses a frugal, adaptive approach that conserves energy without compromising comfort or performance.

Lighting, ventilation, and temperature regulation are all synchronized with actual human presence, minimizing waste and aligning building behavior with genuine needs. This technical simplicity not only enhances efficiency—it also reduces long-term maintenance demands and supports greater resilience and longevity.

Reclaiming Simplicity in Air Travel

In contrast to the sprawling, overly complex hubs that define much of contemporary airport architecture, the Deauville Terminal seeks inspiration from a simpler era of aviation. Passengers and aircraft are once again brought together at ground level, eliminating the need for multi-level circulation systems, escalators, or remote boarding piers.

This horizontal design encourages intuitive wayfinding and a more relaxed travel experience. The terminal layout emphasizes clear lines of sight, natural movement flows, and direct relationships between indoor and outdoor spaces. In doing so, it restores a sense of human scale and legibility, often lost in modern transport environments.

The spatial arrangement is unified by a series of large timber canopies, which stretch outward like wings to welcome travelers and provide shelter from sun and rain. These structures express both functionality and grace, echoing the architectural vernacular of Normandy while serving as a contemporary emblem of environmental stewardship.

A Carbon-Positive Vision

Beyond the terminal itself, the project is embedded within a broader sustainability strategy that aims to position Deauville as the first carbon-positive airport. Key to this ambition is a 45-hectare photovoltaic park, currently under development on-site, which will generate over 60 megawatts of renewable energy—enough to offset the airport’s entire operational footprint and contribute surplus energy to the regional grid.

This vision reframes the airport not just as a point of transit, but as a self-sustaining energy hub, integrated into the ecological and economic life of the region. As the climate crisis demands more responsible infrastructure, Deauville’s leadership sets an example for airports worldwide, proving that mobility and sustainability need not be at odds.

Toward a New Typology of the Terminal

The Deauville Terminal project proposes a new architectural typology—one that is materially honest, technologically frugal, and experientially generous. It demonstrates how thoughtful design can reduce complexity while enhancing both performance and emotion. In doing so, it reasserts architecture’s role not just in solving problems, but in reimagining paradigms.

With its rootedness in place, commitment to ecological intelligence, and streamlined passenger journey, Deauville’s new terminal offers more than just an upgrade in infrastructure—it offers a vision for the future of flight.

Photography: Ferrier Marchetti Studio