hadid, safdie + fuksas compete to design traffic control tower at istanbul new airport

hadid, safdie + fuksas compete to design traffic control tower at istanbul new airport
(above) design by zaha hadid architects / all images courtesy of iGA

a host of acclaimed architects have been shortlisted as part of a competition to design the traffic control tower at istanbul’s new airport. in alphabetical order, the contenders are as follows: aecom + pininfarina, fuksas, grimshaw + nordic, RMJM architects, safdie architects, and zaha hadid architects. the entrants were invited to submit proposals by iGA, the firm responsible for constructing and operating what will be one of the world’s largest airports.

‘we are developing a unique project inspired by the local architecture,’ commented yusuf akçayoğlu, CEO of İGA. ‘that is why we have organized this contest, hoping that airport traffic control tower design would symbolically contribute great deal to istanbul new airport and also will be the most important figure of istanbul. we particularly asked contestants to get inspired from icons of turkey. currently we are evaluating the submitted projects and will be announcing the results as soon as possible.’

the proposed structure is planned to rise to a total height of 95 meters, occupying a prominent position as part of the vast development. see each of the shortlisted designs below, and see here for designboom’s previous coverage of the vast project.

moshe safdie’s design references vernacular geometric patterns 

the proposal from fuksas appears a contemporary interpretation of a minaret

aecom + pininfarina teamed up to create a tulip-inspired form

grimshaw + nordic are currently designing the airport’s terminal complex

the proposal by RMJM architects references the numerous seagulls found in istanbul