Analysis of T5

18:03:20 18th March 2008

The completion of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 (T5), which will open to the public next week, offers the opportunity to look in detail at the design of the structure, the Guardian has stated.

Project architect Mike Davies notes that the building, which features the UK's longest single-span roof, has "openness, generosity and legibility".

The lack of load-bearing columns to support the roof also give the facility's interior the potential to be altered and reconstructed at any point in the future and provides observers with views through the building.

Costing some £80 million, the glass and steel edifice has taken more than five years to construct after the country's longest-ever planning inquiry took place.

The new facility has already been officially opened by the Queen, is intended for the exclusive use of British Airways and will open on March 27th.