Design Times Editor's note: Since its establishment in the 60s of the 20th century, Foster + Partners has designed classic works all over the world, such as "Gherkin" in London, Hearst Building in New York, Apple Headquarters, and HSBC Tower in Hong Kong. In addition to its well-known commercial buildings, Foster & Associates is also known for its large-scale infrastructure projects, such as airports. The following is a testament to the fact that Foster's work continues to push the boundaries of architectural technology in the international competition competitions that the firm has won in recent years.
1. King Salman International Airport
Location: Saudi Arabia
Named after King Salman of Saudi Arabia, the airport covers an area of about 57 square kilometers and is expected to be one of the largest airports in the world, with six parallel runways. The new airport will integrate the existing terminal and feature 12 square kilometres of airport facilities, residential and entertainment facilities, retail outlets and other logistics real estate. Its design will take into account Riyadh's identity and Saudi culture, ensuring a unique travel experience for tourists and transit travelers.
Luke Fox, head of Foster & Associates, said: "The design of the airport reimagines the traditional terminal building as a single concourse loop serviced by multiple entrances. With natural elements, soft lighting, and state-of-the-art facilities, the airport can connect the city to the sensory experience of passengers. ”
By 2030, the airport is expected to reach 1200 million passengers, and by 2050, the airport will have a passenger capacity of 18.5 billion passengers, and the cargo throughput will reach 3.5 million tons. Once completed, the airport will be an aerotropolis centered on efficient operations and innovation for seamless customer journeys, enhancing Riyadh's position as a global logistics hub and serving as a bridge between East and West.
2. CPK Airport
Location: Poland
Located between Warsaw and Lodz, the airport is considered a 21st-century transport hub that integrates air, rail and road. The design seeks to strike a balance between operational efficiency, environmental responsibility, and a symbolic expression of the nation's national identity. The airport is envisaged to serve up to 40 million passengers, with the planning potential to be easily scaled to meet the target of 65 million passengers by 2060.
The design of CPK Airport revolves around a large interchange plaza that is activated by greenery and abundant natural light. The plaza connects major modes of transportation, including air, rail, and road. At the same time, the space serves as a focal point for the planar and functional organization of the scheme, creating efficient and well-wayed connectivity that encourages passengers to choose sustainable travel options.
The vaulted roof above the plaza intuitively directs passengers from the plaza to the aircraft. Thanks to the low level variation, the building's layout is both functional and flexible, allowing for seamless passenger flow and optimised transfers, as well as visual connection to the surrounding landscape to aid orientation. The airport's design is also optimized for modularity and prefabrication, allowing the transportation hub to adapt to changing operational needs.
3. New Red Sea International Airport
Location: Saudi Arabia
As an important part of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea plans and tourism development, the new Red Sea International Airport will be designed to be inspired by the "magnificent colors and special textures of the desert landscape" and will feature a structure of five pods arranged radially around the ** drop-off space.
The two wings, which extend from both sides of the main terminal, will contain the airport's ancillary spaces, including hangars, logistics warehouses and baggage handling facilities. According to the firm, this configuration will reduce the overall envelope and energy requirements compared to standard free-standing outbuildings. The goal of the design was to achieve a LEED Platinum sustainability rating for the airport. It will use 100% renewable energy, following the construction and operation philosophy of "no single-use plastics".
4. The new terminal of Abha Airport
Location: Saudi Arabia
The master plan foresees the expansion of the terminal to 65,000 square meters. Inspired by the nearby village of Rijal Almaa, the modular structure is adopted rather than a huge centralized structure, with each module tailored to a specific function and the needs of passengers. By incorporating into nature, the architects aim to transform the passengers' journey, creating a more comfortable and stress-free environment. Blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces to create a sense of tranquility and well-being, setting a new benchmark for airport design.
Nikolai Malsch, Senior Partner at Foster & Associates, said: "The building opens up to a landscaped courtyard surrounded by retail shops, restaurants and cafes. Passengers waiting to board can choose to browse the shops and enjoy refreshments inside the airport or in the open air. Drawing on the materiality of the nearby village, the rough stone façade contrasts with a more colourful and refined interior color palette. This allows the design to blend in with its surroundings and become a unique gateway to the Asir region. ”
5. Phnom Penh Tyco Airport
Location: Cambodia
Located 20 kilometers from Cambodia's capital, the airport sought inspiration from the local vernacular architecture and sought the right design for the tropical climate. Combining modern solutions with local craftsmanship and striving to keep operating costs to a minimum, the project aims to be "one of the greenest airports in the world". The design includes a lot of greenery, and the energy generated by the on-site photovoltaic farm will power the terminal.
Two wing-shaped piers shape the terminal and converge into a dome that contains passenger security, immigration offices, and retail elements. All functional elements are contained in a 36-metre-long roof canopy supported by a "tree of trees". Lightweight steel grilles allow natural light to enter the expansive terminal space. The design also strives to provide clear and intuitive access for passengers, with open views to the apron and minimal variation in ceiling height throughout the common areas.
The location of the terminal was also designed with future expansion in mind. The modular construction and phased implementation enhanced the construction feasibility of the project. The first phase of the airport terminal includes the core main building and the north parking wing, which can accommodate 13 million passengers per year. The second parking wing will be implemented in a later phase, which will increase the number of passengers to 30 million.
6. Vertical take-off and landing terminal of Dubai International Airport
Location: United Arab Emirates
The project was developed by Foster in collaboration with Skyports Infrastructure. The design concept forms part of the proposal for a future electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) infrastructure network that will connect and transport people at high speeds to popular locations in Dubai. The project is proposed to be built next to Dubai International Airport and will be integrated with the airport's existing transport system as well as surrounding transport hubs such as the Dubai Metro network.