NUCLEUS: DISTRIBUTION HUB + AIRPORT

by Thomas Burbery

Travel and distribution are two major contributors to the worlds CO2 emissions for example a return flight from London to Los Angeles emits 1,650kg’s of CO2. Recently there has been advancements in airship technologies with UK companies such as Airlander at the forefront. Since they are filled with helium they require little energy to carry loads/passengers and can be partly propelled by winds at higher altitudes - making them extremely fuel efficient. As the airships carry loads of up to 60 tons they provide a green alternative to distribute goods. The brief is to design an airport/distribution centre for airships. This will take goods in from lorry, train and ship, then process them to be distributed across the UK. The site is in Tilbury, where a large amount of cargo is received from around the world. Tilbury is being redeveloped which provides transport infrastructure that the building can plug into.