MAD’s feather-like terminal for Changchun Airport

The project was inspired by the idea of offering the most tired and stressed travelers an experience as serene as possible.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China. Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China. Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China. Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China. Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China. Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China. Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

MAD Architects has unveiled its new impressive airport terminal for the city of Changchun in northeastern China. The project was chosen after an international architectural competition and will be developed in collaboration with the China Airport Planning and Design Institute and the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design Company.

Conceived as a floating feather, Changchun Airport Terminal 3 will spread over roughly 2.9 million square feet, will host 54 aircraft gates, and will be connected to a high-speed railway system. Its sculptural form aims to provide a relaxing experience for weary or tense travelers. Inside it will also be filled with plants and trees and water elements, to promote an atmosphere as serene as possible. For the same reason, another key element will be natural lighting, obtained thanks to a timber ceiling.

“By adopting a three-fingered corridor structure surrounded by arcs, the terminal will maintain an overall harmonious layout in its connections to the T1 and T2 terminal areas while increasing the number of passenger seats near the aircrafts”, explained MAD.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China.

Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China.

Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China.

Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China.

Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China.

Image courtesy of MAD Architects.

Changchun Airport Terminal 3, China.

Image courtesy of MAD Architects.