Vilnius Airport Departure Terminal Wins Award for Best Public Project in Lithuania

On Wednesday, the Lithuanian Real Estate Development Association (LNTPA) awarded Lithuanian Airports (LTOU) the prize for the Best Public Building at the “For Sustainable Development” competition for the Vilnius Airport departure terminal, which was opened this February.

“Sustainable growth and balanced development are at the core of the long-term strategy of Lithuanian Airports. One of the key objectives in developing the new terminal project was to increase airport capacity in response to the growing number of passengers and to implement modern technological solutions. Guided by the principles of sustainable development, we have completed an important stage of expansion that represents a major step forward for the country’s aviation sector,” says Arnas Dūmanas, Director of the Infrastructure Department at LTOU.

According to Dūmanas, the terminal project and the award it received reflect the consistent and focused work of the LTOU team, carried out from the planning stage through to implementation, in cooperation with numerous partners and with careful consideration of stakeholder needs.

The new terminal has doubled Vilnius Airport’s passenger handling capacity. Alongside other modern solutions, the terminal building is equipped with the latest microclimate, lighting, and management technologies. A solar power plant has been installed on the roof of the entire building. The A++ energy efficiency class building has been awarded a BREEAM Very Good certification.

A. Dūmanas notes that the main idea was to create a terminal that, by consolidating all departure functions, would resolve the issues of the older buildings and serve as a foundation for future development. The visual concept of the building is based on wing symbolism, connecting sky and earth. Both the exterior and interior were designed with an aesthetic of open spaces and technological clarity, highlighting structural elements without concealing engineering solutions.

The terminal was designed as part of a modular expansion, integrating into the existing airport complex and allowing the old parts of the building to be connected with the new structure. Large glass surfaces and open visual axes create a connection between interior spaces and the airfield environment, enhancing the sense of airport dynamism. The new terminal is connected to the old passenger terminal by a spacious and comfortable gallery. Two additional galleries have also been installed to allow passengers direct access to aircraft.

Together with the Sustainable Development Academy, LNTPA has been organizing the Lithuanian Real Estate Awards “For Sustainable Development” competition annually since 2008. The competition selects the best real estate projects implemented in Lithuania across residential, commercial, retail, and public-use categories. The main goals of the competition are to promote the ideas of sustainable development, draw public attention to outstanding projects, present the best developments by real estate developers, and encourage cooperation between business, academia, and public and non-governmental organizations.