The sculptural 500,000 sqm terminal evokes the image of a manta ray and features an internal and external double skin honeycomb motif that wraps the structure.
1.5 km long, with roof spans of up to 80 m, honeycomb shaped metal and glass panels punctuate the façade of the terminal allowing natural light to filter through. Inside, the terminal is characterized by distinctive white conical supporting columns that rise to touch the roof at a cathedral-like scale.
The focal point of the design is the concourse located at the intersection of the building.
Consisting of three levels – departure, arrivals and services – vertically connected to create full height voids and allowing natural light to filter from the highest level down to the lowest.
The honeycomb motif is translated into many aspects of the interior and at different scales, from the larger retail boxes to smaller 3D imprints in the wall cover.
Studio Fuksas is engaged on two further phases of the airport extension, scheduled to be completed in 2025 and 2035 respectively.
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Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Airport Expansion Terminal 3, Bao’an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Program: airport new terminal
Architects: Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas
Client: Shenzhen Airport (Group) Co.
Developer: Shenzhen Planning Bureau; Shenzhen Airport (Group) Co.
Contractor: China State Construction Engineering Corporation
Structures, façade and parametric design: Knippers Helbig Engineering
Area: 500,000 sqm
Completion: 2013