Terminal BTG Pactual at Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo has achieved a significant milestone as the first exclusive private airport terminal in Latin America. Developed through a collaboration between PerkinsWill São Paulo and Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos, the project represents a groundbreaking approach to aviation architecture that seamlessly combines operational efficiency, passenger comfort, and environmental integration. The terminal's most distinctive feature is its inverted roof design that mimics the geometry of open wings, creating a powerful symbol of flight while delivering practical structural and environmental advantages.
The architectural design centers around these wing-like roofs, which rest on a sophisticated double-height framework constructed from metal, wood, and glass materials. This structural system carefully balances transparency with stability, creating an impressive visual impact while maintaining the building's functional integrity. Large window surfaces throughout the terminal maximize natural light penetration and establish continuous visual connections between interior spaces and the sky above. The solid base of the structure houses essential operational areas including main circulation paths, passenger drop-off zones, and other critical airport functions.
A central garden serves as the organizing element for the terminal's interior layout, functioning both as a circulation divider and a biophilic design feature that connects passengers with nature. This landscaped space creates a seamless link between the check-in lounge and the boarding and arrival areas, while showcasing native Brazilian plant species including sibipiruna, white ipê, and brazilwood. The selection of these specific native species demonstrates careful attention to ecological value and biodiversity preservation, while also meeting strict aviation safety standards by avoiding plants that might attract birds to the airport environment.
The interior design strategy, developed through the collaboration between PerkinsWill São Paulo and Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos, emphasizes the careful balance of scale, materiality, and visual continuity throughout the terminal. While the double-height volumes create a sense of openness and grandeur, half-height wooden panels introduce a more intimate and human-scaled atmosphere in lounges and passenger waiting areas. This thoughtful approach ensures that large operational spaces maintain a welcoming and comfortable quality for travelers.
Material selection plays a central role in creating the terminal's distinctive atmosphere and visual identity. Wood surfaces are used extensively throughout the interior to provide warmth and visual consistency, while carefully placed stone details add contrast and help establish the terminal's unique character. The combination of these materials creates a sequence of spaces that are both operationally efficient for airport functions and visually distinctive for the passenger experience.
All furniture and interior elements were custom-designed specifically for Terminal BTG Pactual through traditional artisanal processes and craftsmanship techniques. Skilled carpenters produced a wide range of elements including bars, shelving units, sinks, private room fittings, armchairs, chaise lounges, coffee tables, and custom lighting fixtures. These specially crafted pieces establish a coherent visual dialogue with the overall architecture, reinforcing the seamless integration between the building's structure, interior design, and furniture elements.
Lighting design serves both technical and expressive functions throughout the terminal, with fixtures strategically positioned to emphasize the floating quality of the wing-like roof structure while meeting strict airport safety and operational standards. During daylight hours, natural light dominates the interior spaces through the extensive glazing system, while carefully controlled artificial illumination takes over at night to highlight the building's architectural rhythm and create visual continuity with the surrounding environment.
The terminal accommodates a comprehensive range of airport functions including passenger processing, circulation, security screening, and hospitality services, all distributed across a continuous and efficient floor plan. Interior spaces include comfortable lounges, private meeting rooms, and luxury suites, all designed to support both passenger privacy and operational efficiency. The layout organizes these various program elements with clear circulation flows, ensuring clarity and comfort for travelers throughout their airport experience.
Through the successful collaboration between PerkinsWill and Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos, Terminal BTG Pactual represents a significant reinterpretation of the conventional air travel environment in Latin America. By combining symbolic architectural form, biophilic design strategies, custom-tailored interiors, and operational precision, the project establishes a new landmark in Latin American aviation design that successfully aligns functional requirements with architectural innovation and environmental responsibility.
