Editing London Stansted Airport (section)

==== Foster Associates terminal ====
[[Foster and Partners|Foster Associates]], founded by architect [[Norman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank|Norman Foster]], was commissioned to design the new terminal building, with structural engineering led by [[Peter Rice (structural engineer)|Peter Rice]] at principal engineers [[Ove Arup & Partners]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/architecture-genius-expressed-in-nuts-and-bolts-peter-rice-is-an-engineer-revered-by-the-worlds-top-1530478.html|title=Architecture: Genius expressed in nuts and bolts: Peter Rice is an|work=The Independent|access-date=2018-10-27|language=en-GB|archive-date=28 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028055244/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/architecture-genius-expressed-in-nuts-and-bolts-peter-rice-is-an-engineer-revered-by-the-worlds-top-1530478.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The plans were approved in 1985, and construction took place between 1988 and 1991<ref>Ritchie, p. 173</ref> by the [[John Laing Group|John Laing company]] at a cost of £100 million.<ref>''Above Us The Skies: The Story Of BAA''&nbsp;– 1991 (Michael Donne&nbsp;– BAA plc), p. 62-63</ref> The terminal building originally comprised a square structure of 11 bays by 11 bays, and opened to the public in 1991. It received the [[European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture|European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture (Mies van der Rohe Award)]] in 1990. As part of the development, a railway branch was built to the airport for [[Stansted Airport railway station]], built at ground level within the terminal.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Blow |first1=Christopher |title=Transport Terminals and Modal Interchanges |date=2005 |publisher=Architectural Press |isbn=0-7506-5693-X |edition=1 |location=Oxford |page=70 |chapter=6: Taxonomy of rail, bus/coach and air transport interchanges}}</ref>

The building was recognised as a landmark work of high-tech architecture. Foster + Partners' design for Stansted Airport is widely regarded as a transformative influence on airport architecture.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-25 |title=Stansted Airport "challenged the rules of terminal design" |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2019/11/25/stansted-airport-foster-partners-high-tech-architecture/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Dezeen |language=en}}</ref> The building features open canopies that visually connect the landside and airside,<ref name=":02" /> and challenged conventional airport layouts by relocating essential services underground, instead creating an open and flexible main concourse that is naturally illuminated. The "floating" roof, supported by a [[space frame]] of inverted-pyramid roof trusses, creates the impression of a stylised swan in flight. The base of each truss structure is a "utility pillar", which provides indirect uplighting illumination and is the location for air-conditioning, water, telecommunications, and electrical outlets. The layout of the airport was originally designed to provide an unobstructed flow for passengers to arrive at the short-stay car park, move through the check-in hall, and go through security and on to the departure gates, all on the same level. These principles influenced the design of future projects around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=dwtransportwriting |date=2015-12-02 |title=The Upside Down Airport (London Stansted Airport, UK) |url=https://thebeautyoftransport.com/2015/12/02/the-upside-down-airport-london-stansted-airport-uk/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=The Beauty of Transport |language=en}}</ref>

In 1999, planning permission was granted for Phase 2 of the terminal expansion, which included extending the width to 15 bays, as well as the addition of the third satellite building.<ref name=":02" />