Indira Gandhi International Airport has opened four new cafeterias at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 using recycled material — One is at Level 3 of Terminal 3, one each near parking bay Alpha12 and Basement level of Terminal 3 and one near arrivals area of Terminal 2.
In a first of -its- kind initiative, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has adopted the idea of the three “R” of sustainability- Reuse, Reduce, Recycle for the construction of cafes.
The 220 sq m Café Aero at Terminal 3 is completely redesigned and the concept of ‘focal wall’ is introduced. The grid ceiling is made reusing discarded ceiling tiles and furniture and tuck shops are made using MS section from scrap.
The Café Aero at parking bay, Terminal 3 Airside features lampshades made with recycled material, exposed wires and surfaces are covered with aerated concrete leftover boards and counters are crafted with old bulkheads.
The cafe at the basement, near T3 Airside offers a biophilic environment. (A concept used to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature and space and place conditions.)
The café at Terminal 2 arrivals is redecorated using readily available granite for fabrication of counter-tops and benches and acrylic solid surfaces for table-tops. An artificial tree with mangoes with the theme ‘tree of life’ is also created for people to bond.
“At Delhi Airport, we try to make use of waste in the best and the most innovative way possible. Our team keeps an eye on the waste materials generated and segregates it in various segments in order to reuse those.
“As the airport expansion works are underway, we expect to process massive quantities of waste or refurbished materials and use those creatively to build several such facilities, ” said a DIAL spokesperson.
Natasha Nitturkar