Perhaps some of the most impressive and awe inspiring works of architecture are airports situated around the world. You could easily argue that they are the least appreciated buildings in the world, as every year millions of people travel through them but probably don’t stop to appreciate the design that has gone into them. Here are 6 of the most incredible airports in the world.
Terminal 3 Shenzhen Bao’am International, China
Designed by Italian architect Studio Fuksas, the airports capacity was doubled when the Terminal 3 opened last year, in the first 6 months alone the airport claims to have handled 17 millions passengers. The hexagonal design seen on the roof carries on throughout the buildings design and allows for natural light to flow throughout the terminal.
Terminal 1, Lyon-St Exupéry Airport, France
Designed by architect Rogers Stirk Harbour this airport is on a smaller scale to the rest. Designed to not over power the striking TGV station that sits beside it, it is the main airport for Frances third biggest city Lyon. This new terminal when built is expected to increase the number of passengers every year from 10 million to 15 million by 2020.
Queen Alia International, Amman, Jordan
Designed by architects Foster + Partners, this new terminal opened last year at Queen Alia International has a roof that was inspired by Bedouin tents. The architecture of the building has also been heavily influenced by the surrounding climate, by using concrete which has strong thermal properties to balance the high temperatures during the day and low temperatures at night.
Mexico City, Mexico
Also designed by Architects Foster + Partners/Fernando Romero Enterprise, this new and exciting international airport promises to be “like nothing else in the world”. It will be a single terminal that has six runways. The roof design is inspired by traditional mexican architecture.
Terminal 1, Istanbul International, Turkey
This new international airport in Istanbul is due to be the worlds largest airport and terminal under one roof when its completed in 2018. Designed by famous british architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw.
London Britannia, London, UK
This is the concept for ‘Boris Island’ which has now fallen through and it would appear that the alternative is going to be an extra runway at either Gatwick or Heathrow airport. This is a failed proposal by American practice Gensler which features a floating airport in the Thames estuary which connects to London via underground railways.