From the control tower, departure and arrival halls, security and immigration, airports are one of the most chaotic yet important places in the world, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The design of airports is nothing but extraordinary - the architecture incorporates both function, regulation and beauty. Let’s explore the best airports from an architectural perspective.
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) in Singapore
Voted as the world’s best airport twelve times and holding the title for eight consecutive years from 2013 to 2021, Changi is one of the major transportation hubs in Asia, boasting 4 terminals and most impressive of all: the Jewel Changi.
The Jewel Changi Airport is located between Terminals 1, 2 and 3, which is reachable by the world’s first driverless and automated Skytrain that was built in 1990. Its neofuturistic design includes a rain vortex, a garden canopy park and acres of retail space. Designed by architecture Moshe Safie, who also designed Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, the toroidal-shaped glass and steel enclosure houses the world’s largest indoor garden (Shiseido Forest Valley) at 24,000 sqft and the world’s largest indoor waterfall (the Rain Vortex) at 40m high.
Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar
Taking Singapore Changi’s historic title in 2021 was the Doha Hamad Airport. Its expansion to accommodate for the increased air traffic and 2023 FIFA World Cup has made the Hamad Airport Qatar’s biggest building.
The Orchard, a similar design to the Jewel Changi, was opened in 2023, along with space for retail and dining areas. Their indoor tropical garden and waterfall supports their aim in becoming the world’s most sustainable airport. This has been implemented by their wastewater recycling program, used to irrigate the surrounding greenery and their cooling system, as the solar reflective building exterior insulates the cool air from the hot Middle-Eastern heat.
Denver International Airport (DEN) in Colorado, United States of America
The last but most interesting on the list is the Denver International Airport, with its canopy roof being one of the most distinct in North America. It is the second largest airport in the world by square footage, with an underground train to transport all passengers to and from the three concourses spread out around the airport.
Designed by Fentress Architects, the canopy roof represents the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and encapsulates the history of the pioneer settlers and Native American teepees. The canopy allows the terminal to be saturated with light, and the white fabric reflects 90% of solar radiation to reduce heat gain. Thus, this reduces the amount of electricity required to power indoor lighting in the daylight hours. The architecture of the Denver airport has won over 50 awards, for its innovative yet sustainable design - a must from an architectural lens.
Works Cited
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Chanchlani, T. (2021). 10 Inspirational Airport designs around the world. [online] RTF | Rethinking The Future. Available at: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/designing-for-typologies/a2692-10-inspirational-airport-designs-around-the-world/# [Accessed 2 Aug. 2024].
Demos, C. (2024). Doha’s Hamad International Airport named best in world. [online] delicious.com.au. Available at: https://www.delicious.com.au/travel/travel-news/article/dohas-hamad-international-airport-named-best-world/u8xu9h21.
Fentress Architects. (n.d.). Passenger Terminal Complex at DEN. [online] Available at: https://fentressarchitects.com/project/denver-international-airport/.
Nast, C. (2019). Doha: 5 fascinating features of the Hamad International Airport in Qatar. [online] Architectural Digest India. Available at: https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/doha-fascinating-features-hamad-international-airport-qatar/.
S, A. (2023). 10 coolest airports around the world - Parametric Architecture. [online] Parametric Architecture. Available at: https://parametric-architecture.com/10-coolest-airports-around-the-world/#google_vignette [Accessed 2 Aug. 2024].
SKYTRAX. (n.d.). Airport of the Year Winners. [online] Available at: https://www.worldairportawards.com/airport-of-the-year-winners/.
Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Jewel Changi Airport. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewel_Changi_Airport.
Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Hamad International Airport. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamad_International_Airport#Terminal_1.
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