DESIGN/BUILDER PARTNER

Hill International ; Enka & Co. LLC

PRODUCTS INSTALLED

Hufcor Frameless Glass Walls, 3630
Hufcor Fully Automatic Glass Walls, 3630EGW 

CHALLENGE

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN) is a government-owned company established in 2005. Its directive is to create economic growth and development in the Oman tourism sector. In 2013, OMRAN was working on a mammoth project of refurbishing the Muscat International Airport’s passenger arrival/departure terminals. The project’s key requirements were to develop an efficient and fully functioning space that provided a safe boarding area for all travelers while creating a positive ambiance for the terminal building. Since Muscat International Airport caters flights to several destinations around the world such as Asia, Africa, and Europe, the design needed to exhibit a world-class urban feel that fit into its prestigious facilities interior space while meeting the needs of the multitude of travelers.

SOLUTION

To meet the client’s requirement, GFI team suggested the Hufcor Fully Automatic Glass Walls. This unique product was installed in the passenger terminal building (201 PTB)- gate lounge at arrival area to accommodate and balance the crowd of passengers. This is an electrically operated Hufcor Series 3630EGW glass panels with laminated clear tempered glass finish decorated with a snowy white flower on its surface. It has a ceramic frit application, to create lighting images for a relaxing and pleasing environment suited for a perfect passenger lounge.

The client’s top concern was the passenger’s traffic flow, to keep it uninterrupted and smooth through the course of their journey. For this reason, GFI team installed 26 partitions of Hufcor Frameless Glass Walls in the Gate Lobby at the Departure Area to separate the boarding area from the corridors. The system is manually operated with the panels moving to the storage area, positioned in the opening, and a customized design using the magnetic sensor at the top for faster set up and secure locking of panels as per the client’s requirements. The panel finish was laminated clear tempered glass crafted with frosted white biscuit design with a ceramic frit application on the surface of the glass. The movable glass walls system includes emergency doors that are elegant in a contemporary look tempered glass finish with automated panic handle. The remaining 4 nos. partitions are located at bar area on the Departure Level and serve as a perfect solution for a transparent barrier to close shop fronts while maintaining a full view of the entire area.

RESULT

Hufcor’s fully automatic glass walls delivered the privacy and safety that enables a smooth traffic flow for the passengers while giving a pleasing ambiance upon their arrival into the guest lounge. Hufcor’s custom designed frameless movable glass walls system also provided the privacy and the flexibility to utilize the airport space. Passengers are able to occupy the space comfortably while enjoying the viewing area through each phase of their boarding process.