Kayak-shaped airport coming to Kuujjuaq

An extreme makeover lies in store for the two main entry points to Nunavik: the airports in Kuujjuaraapik and Kuujjuaq.
Five years ago, the Kativik Regional Government signed an $8.4 million agreement for renovations to the Kuujjuaraapik airport — which included the construction of a facility to replace the airport’s outdated terminal, a military relic from the 1950s.

Kuujjuaraapik’s new terminal is to open this month.

However, Kuujjuaq will have to wait another two years for its new terminal. The $6-million building is being designed by Fournier, Gersovitz, Moss and Associates, the same architectural firm which designed Kuujjuaq’s eye-catching Katittavik Centre.

The new terminal, at 13,000 square feet, is three times as large as the current one. Located in exactly the same spot, the new building, which will lie flat on the ground, is long and narrow in shape.

Architect Alain Fournier said this shape is intended to reflect Inuit culture.

“The kayak as an inspiration came through,” Fournier said. “It was a natural because air terminals are generally long, narrow buildings.”

An expanded, raised skylight rises up from the terminal’s roof. Fournier said this window is like “the cockpit of the kayak.”

The terminal will house airline counters, baggage rooms, a large security section and a space for a retail operation, such as a combined gift and snack shop. The terminal’s exterior will be wrapped in metal cladding, with airtight walls and double vestibules at the entrances to hold heat during the winter.

The new terminal is designed to reduce power and resource consumption by being energy-efficient.

To cut back on the use of electricity, all rooms will have natural lighting, even those in the middle of the building. Plans also call for a solar wall to store energy from the sun for power and to preheat air for the ventilation system. As well, there’s a reflective roof to deflect heat and opening windows to provide ventilation during the warmer months.

To conserve water, the terminal will have waterless urinals, similar to the one now installed in the current terminal.

Construction will integrate recycled materials and space is being set aside to collect and store recyclables in the finished terminal.

A series of pipes called thermosyphons will keep the ground frozen under the building and evacuate heat. The pipes will provide a passive cooling system to the terminal, and, at the same time, they’re integrated into the construction design as part of an entrance canopy.

The terminal should allow for an increase in air traffic to Kuujjuaq

“It has some expansion possibilities, but it’s difficult to forecast what impact the self-government will have,” Fournier said.

Fournier, who also designed Iqaluit’s distinctive yellow airport terminal, said the creation of Nunavut had “a major impact” on air traffic.

Construction on Kuujjuaq’s new terminal will start next summer.

During the two-year construction period, the existing terminal will be moved near the Air Inuit staff house.