A modern airport is more than a harbor where planes arrive and depart to the ends of the Earth. A modern airport is also a work of architectural and design art. In this article we have collected the most unusual and interesting airport terminals in the world.
Airport named after. Saint-Exupery Airport in Lyon, France
This real wonder, created by the Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava, appeared in Lyon in 1975. The airport was named after the famous writer Antoine Saint-Exupery. In its shape, the air harbor building resembles a bird – steel arches act as wings.
Marrakech-Menara Airport, Morocco
For a true eastern fairy tale it is worth at least once to visit the airport located in Morocco. Architectural studio E2A worked on the project of the airport terminal.
The specialists used oriental ornaments, so unusual for the European eye, not only on the facade, but also in the interior decoration. The sun’s rays pass through them and are reflected in the airport floor.
Adolfo Suarez Airport Adolfo Suarez Airport in Madrid, Spain
There are many architectural landmarks in Madrid. But many tourists come here just for that – Terminal 4 of Barajas airport named after Adolfo Suarez. Adolfo Suarez. Two specialists, Richard Rogers and Antonio Lamel, worked on this work of architectural thought.
The roof of the terminal was made of bamboo and has a wave-like shape. Thanks to its special texture, a large volume of natural light enters the building, which gently diffuses and creates a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Changi Airport, Singapore
Singapore airport is considered a star among the harbours of the world. It is not just an architectural masterpiece, but a real city within a city. Designed by Moshe Safdie, part of the building is a glass dome. Its size is legendary for its sheer scale.
But the most important thing is under it. Here one can find a man-made waterfall that is recognized as the largest in the world. There is also a garden with exotic plants, which is an oasis. What to say about the presence of a huge shopping center, masses of restaurants and other entertainment.
Beijing Daxing Airport, China
Zaha Hadid, the greatest architect of modern times, worked on the project of the international airport in Beijing. It took only 4 years to build a huge facility, recognized as the largest in the world. Its main distinguishing feature is considered to be its form. Airport terminal is very reminiscent of a starfish. In fact, that is how locals call it.
Samui, Thailand. Green garden with log cabins – no, this is not a Thai village, but one of the busiest airports in the country. It serves millions of tourists every year. Apart from the souvenir store at the airport there are no indoor facilities – they are replaced by well-kept gardens, green parks with picturesque ponds.
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, USA. The old terminal is an original building, which by its architecture creates a feeling of flying. There are no well-defined walls, smooth geometric lines. All the staircases and partitions flow smoothly into each other. The building is recognized as one of the most unusual airports in the world.