Fraport Greece commissioned AVW Architecture, Landscape-Roidis and Karanasios -Balsami studios to design the outdoor spaces of “Makedonia” airport. The international Macedonia Airport of Thessaloniki, an important gateway, seeked to improve the airport environment, to create a visually attractive display of flora extended to the local landscape, in order to provide a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for all passengers and visitors.

According to the given brief, the design should be based on the following principles:
The landscape design must assist to create a ‘sense of place’ by relating to the newly expanded and refurbished terminal as well as the unique character of Thessaloniki city that it serves.

‘Safety’ – Greening of the airport by use of vegetation throughout the site must be conducted without encouraging bird populations and by keeping in mind security concerns such as maintenance of sight lines and CCTFV, providing eyes on parking and open spaces etc.
Sustainable and Maintainable –Develop self-sustaining landscapes based on plants tolerant of soils, climate, and water availability. Maximize use of native plants and plants already installed and do not use exotic or invasive species.

Create a welcoming environment to the airport to make an impression on visitors as they travel from the highway to the terminal recognizing that the entry is also an exit.

The landscape design concerns both the landside and the Airside of the airport, giving greater attention to the Landside area. The proposed irregular xeriscape landscape design, suit Greek native landscape and local environmental conditions with features linked to local heritage.
Lawn areas are minimized, by placing them only where the ‘lawn aesthetic’ is required. Drought tolerant and no birds attracting groundcovers are used. The extensive use of different colors of crushed gravel pebbles and rock formations provide sustainable landscapes.

Landscape-Roidis adopted systems that are practical, cost effective and have minimal resource consumption. Olive trees and Gingo Biloba trees are planted, easily adapted with the existing cypress and pine trees of the Landside area.