If numbers are to be believed, at any point almost a million people are in the air flying to or from an airport.
Now, imagine what will be the amount of people at any airport at a given. We can’t calculate it right now, but it’ll be easily be triple or even quadruple of the million mark.
Airports can be exhausting. You can spend hours walking from one corner to another and still fail to find the washroom. But some airports are inspiring to say the least. Not only they optimize functionality and efficiency, but they also have a beautiful architectural design and aura.
Over the last decade, how people see airports have changed. Thanks to airport architects like Pond & Company people look forward to visit airports — they’re left in awe of the modern architecture and its marvels.
So, today we’re talking about the our favorite airports in the world, which inspire due to its architecture, efficiency, and overall ambiance.
1) Hong Kong International Airport
Whenever we think about Hong Kong International airport, three adjectives comes to our mind — elegant, airy, and huge. Fun fact — the airport is designed to look like a giant airliner and it resides on the top of what happens to be a landfill extension in Hong Kong. Along with a carefully modulated daylight, the airport is also known for its centrally placed ‘Market Square.’ The airport on the whole has a brilliant aura to it — and it’s all the magic of architecture.
2) Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai
Designed keeping in mind the local culture and taste of India, this airport is a delight both in terms of inspiring architecture and efficiency. More than 30 columns connect to the canopy that is overhead and the way is architecturally designed to showcase Indian aesthetics and values — including multiple references to the Indian national bird, which is Peacock. Not to forget the roof canopy that resembles close resemblance to historical design of Indian pavilions.
3) Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport
Probably the most innovative amongst this list is the Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport which features wooden cocoons design with turkish aesthetics. Through the conclave glass walls, the light seeps in. Not only that, each cocoon harbors in it stores, bars, cafes, and waiting room. Fun Fact — this airport handles more than 5 million passengers each year. That’s quite some number, huh?
Conclusion:
As we saw, airport architecture firms are changing how airports across the world are designed. Infusing inspiring ambience while elevating efficiency is one of the key parameters these days for the design of an airport. And these are just 3 of our favorites who achieve that and just so much more.
The airport is just a difficult building type to fall in love with, but these architecture firms are changing that for good. Now, airports are not just drab buildings with no aesthetic appeal. In fact, people now look forward to visiting airports to marvel at the stylistic grandeur of them.
Visiting an airport itself is an experience these days. So when you do — ensure you absorb it entirely, to the finest of the details.
