1 February 2024
Italy’s Florence Airport is to be rebuilt – with a vineyard on the roof of the terminal building.
What’s more, grapes harvested from the vineyard will be made into wine and aged in specialist cellars beneath the building.
The 19-acre vineyard will be on a slope along the length of the terminal roof with 38 rows of vines.
“A leading winegrower from the region will cultivate the vineyards,” said a statement.
The building, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, will be a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum building adding to its environmental credentials.
This is how Florence Airport looks at the mome nt with the runway pointing straight at the mountains. Image: Google
Nuovo Aeroporto Internazionale di Firenze Amerigo Vespucci will also have its 1,654m runway lengthened and reorientated to allow bigger aircraft to operate at the airport. At the moment, aircraft size is limited by the 05/23 runway having a small mountain at one end.
However, it’s going to take a while before it’s finished. Phase one is expected to be finished in 2026, phase two in 2035. No date yet for the first vintage…
