Beijing Capital International Airport

Beijing Capital International Airport

Foster + Partners

“A symbol of place, its soaring aerodynamic roof and its dragon-like form celebrate the thrill and poetry of flight. Its gold roof resonates with the Forbidden City, while the striking interior palette of red through orange to yellow evokes traditional Chinese colors.” Foster, Foster + Partners.

Photo © Nigel Young / Foster + Partners

Designed and completed in only four years, Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital International Airport opened ahead of schedule for the 2008 Olympics. The world’s largest building and most advanced airport, the new terminal offers an unparalleled traveling experience, not only technologically, but also in terms of operational efficiency, passenger comfort, sustainability and access to natural light.

Comprising three connected, light-filled volumes - T3A, B and C - the simple, symmetrical diagram fans out at either end to accommodate the arrivals and departure halls for T3A, processing terminal and domestic gates, and T3B, international gates. The satellite T3C, domestic gates, occupies the centre of the diagram. This arrangement is an efficient means of maximizing the perimeter, so increasing the capacity for aircraft stands, while maintaining a highly compact and sustainable footprint.

Passage from: http://www.arcspace.com/architects/foster/beijing_airport/beijing_airport.html

Images from: http://www.arcspace.com/architects/foster/beijing_airport/beijing_airport.html