Airports are one place where you experience high-density human traffic. It is interesting to see what kind of architects are employed in the creation of these architectural marvels that have become nothing less than a center point for travelers to interact with the local populace, or just pass their time waiting for other flights or to proceed on an onward journey. These famous airports are works of art, not only because they are big, modern, and spacious but also because they have an outstanding architecture which makes them so majestic.
This article will let you know about the 15 most beautiful airports in the world.
1) Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) – Hong Kong
Design: Foster and Partners; Architects; Stefan Behnisch, Partner-in-Charge; Dirk Hartung, Project Architect; Shuhei Endo
Hong Kong International Airport presents a spectacular view of the bay area with its all-glass facade. It has been praised as one of the most beautiful airports by many people. The airport is also an iconic feature in Hong Kong’s skyline and is often featured in movies and TV shows which is why it remains so popular among travelers.
2) Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS) – Netherlands
Design: Bijvoet + partners, architects, and engineers
Amsterdam Schipol Airport was ranked as the Best Airport Worldwide for three consecutive years from 2007 to 2009, at the Skytrax World Airport Awards. The airport is also recognized for its modern architecture which has won several awards.
3) Dubai International Airport (DXB) – Dubai
Design: Foster and Partners; Architects; Vincent Callebaut Architectures; Jonathan Ledgard, Project Principal; Jean-Philippe Courtois, Partner-in-Charge
Dubai International Airport is popular for its beautiful design that takes into consideration the heat and direct sunlight of the region. The airport is divided into three sections – landside, airside, and concourse. It is also recognized as one of the largest airports in the world with a capacity of more than 80 million passengers.
4) Haneda Airport (HND) – Tokyo
Design: NACO – Irimajiri + Nishizawa and Associates + Nikken Sekkei Ltd.; Kisho Kurokawa; Lead Designer
Haneda Airport was opened in 1931 and is one of the oldest and busiest airports in Japan. The airport has won several awards and recognitions for its amazing architecture. It was voted as the Best Airport Worldwide by Skytrax from 2009 to 2013.
5) Franz Joseph Strauss International Airport (MUC) – Germany
Design: Albert Speer & Partner GmbH; Bollinger + Grohmann; Gerhard Spangl, Partner-in-Charge; Elmar Eisgruber, Project Director
Franz Joseph Strauss International Airport is named after a famous politician who played a prominent role in the reconstruction of post-war Germany. The terminal building has been praised for being very functional and has won several awards for its architectural design.
6) Denver International Airport (DEN) – US
Design: Fentress Bradburn Architects; Architects; Design Director-Windsor Smith; Michael Pruess, Project Principal-Design Architect; Thomas A. Menges, Partner-in-Charge; Raul Viveros de Rio, Senior Designer/Architecture Team member
Denver International Airport is one of the first airports to recognize environmental concerns and integrate them into their airport design. The airport was built on the land previously set aside for the never-completed “Mountains Two” airport project which made it an ideal place for development as there were not many obstacles in the way. The terminal building has received mixed reviews from its visitors who have criticized its confusing layout.
7) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – Thailand
Design: Helmut Jahn of Murphy/Jahn Architects; Mathias Klotz, Chief Designer for JAHN; Hisao Sugawara, Design Partner
Suvarnabhumi Airport was known as New Bangkok International Airport until it was renamed in 2006 to honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej who died the same year. The airport has a great design and is one of the busiest airports in Asia. However, in recent years this rating has fallen with frequent complaints from visitors about chaos in baggage handling and immigration lines.
8) Incheon International Airport (ICN) – South Korea
Design: Benoy Limited, British Planning and Design Firm; Gensler, Lead Architect
Incheon International Airport is the main airport in South Korea. It was the first airport to be awarded five-star status by Skytrax, an international firm that rates airports based on traveler opinions. The airport has won several awards for its architecture and design which are quite modern despite being built 10 years ago.
9) Zurich Kloten International Airport (ZRH) – Switzerland
Design: Diener & Diener Architects & Engineers AG; Lang + Wagner Airports AG; Arata Isozaki&Partners; Werner Tscholl Architects Ltd.; Mark Burry, Project Principal
Zurich International Airport was ranked as the No.1 airport by Skytrax in 2015. The airport has a beautiful design and is one of the largest airports in Europe, serving as the hub for Swiss International Air Lines.
10) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) – Argentina
Design: Norman Foster & Partners; UAP-ACS Consortium; Lead Designer/Architect
Ministro Pistarini International Airport is known as Ezeiza International Airport because it lies within the limits of Ezeiza Partido, a city located 20 km from downtown Buenos Aires. It is among the largest airports in South America and serves as a hub for Aerolineas Argentinas, LAN Airlines, and Sol LÃneas Aéreas.
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