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A new futuristic terminal will cover 270,000 square meters at Lunjia Airport in Changchun, in Jilin province in northeastern China. Functional, cozy, and green, the terminal is designed to resemble a giant feather and is expected to welcome about 22 million passengers each year.
Beijing-based MAD Architects unveiled the project, which has already won awards in international competitions. The firm is led by Ma Yansong, known for his futuristic, space-age designs.
The terminal project was developed in collaboration with the China Airport Planning and Design Institute and the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design.
What Makes the New Terminal Special
MAD Architects says the new terminal is meant to give visitors to Changchun a calm, cozy atmosphere both inside and out.
First and foremost, travelers will be struck by the terminal’s fan-shaped layout. From above, it looks like a monumental feather—a nod to the white wings of aircraft that lift into the sky.
As travelers approach the terminal, they will be surrounded by forests, lakes, meadows, and hills. Inside, guests will find a so-called “cold zone garden” that reflects the region’s natural environment, complete with characteristic trees, soils, and water features.
The architects designed the terminal to connect seamlessly with the two existing terminals. Passengers will board through 54 gates, according to Designboom. Direct exits to the subway station, parking lot, and high-speed rail are also planned.
The roof is designed to flood the interior with natural light and abundant greenery. An eco-friendly wooden ceiling with large skylights complements the building’s dynamic interior.
The design team says the terminal’s green features respond to people’s need to connect with nature and with one another. That idea is embodied in a structure as light as a feather, floating in the air.
