The new terminal at Cibao International Airport in the Dominican Republic forms part of a major expansion project designed to boost capacity and improve the passenger experience. The architectural concept by Luis Vidal + Architects is characterised by a continuous roof landscape which translates the surrounding topography into a fluid, freeform structure.
Freeform roof structure
HESS TIMBER was responsible for the engineering, production, delivery and installation of the entire timber roof structure. The project is defined by a highly complex geometry, requiring a precise coordination of all structural elements as well as a high degree of prefabrication.
Large Spans in Wood Construction
The load-bearing structure is supported by 128 column heads. Primary beams were realised as continuous elements using HESS LIMITLESS jointing system, allowing for beam lengths of up to 45 metres and free spans of around 25 metres. The combination of straight and curved glulam members, together with conical secondary beams, forms a dense structural system that accurately follows the freeform architectural geometry of the roof.
Prefabricated in Europe, assembled in the Caribbean
Given the project’s location in the Caribbean, logistics and prefabrication were crucial to its successful implementation. A high degree of factory prefabrication made it possible to manufacture the numerous individual components with the precision required for the complex roof geometry, while also enabling efficient transport and rapid on-site assembly. A total of 1,750 m³ of glued laminated timber (GLT) was used for the wooden roof structure, with the majority supplied by the HASSLACHER group. The roof consists of 23,000 m² of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and features integrated skylights.
