beijing's vast new airport terminal by zaha hadid architects takes shape in china

with its steel structure now complete, progress on beijing’s new international airport terminal is racing ahead. designed by zaha hadid architects (ZHA), the vast project was announced in early 2015 following an international competition held in 2011. currently unnamed, the 313,000 square meter development is being constructed to ease the burden on the chinese captial’s existing airport, which is currently operating at full capacity.

once complete, the terminal will be the largest in the world
video courtesy of new china TV / xinhua (main image via xinhua/zhang chenlin)

new construction images, obtained by xinhua, show the enormous scale of the airport, which will initially accommodate 45 million passengers each year. however, the chinese news agency reports that the scheme has been designed to handle up to 72 million passengers and 2 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2025. developed in collaboration with ADP ingeniérie, ZHA’s design groups the site’s activities around a central hub with six ‘piers’ radiating outwards.

the design groups the site’s activities around a central hub with six ‘piers’ radiating outwards
image by methanoia © zaha hadid architects

in addition to minimizing distances between check-in and gate, this configuration also allows for the site’s future expansion. the airport, which is expected to open in 2019, will also include an integrated travel center offering direct links to beijing’s city center, local rail services, and the country’s high speed train network. take a closer look at the site in the video above, (from may 2017), and see renderings of the ambitious project below.

an integrated travel center will offer direct links to beijing’s city center and beyond
image by methanoia © zaha hadid architects

the airport is expected to open in 2019
image by methanoia © zaha hadid architects

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