14 DAY TRIAL // A state-of-the-art terminal building is to be built in one of the hottest places on earth, in the form of the new Kuwait International Airport. The company behind the project has already released a few images showing their vision, with the terminal strategically located to anticipate and enable future expansion.
The project targets LEED ‘gold’ – it aims to be the first passenger terminal in the world certified with this level of environmental accreditation. The concrete structure provides thermal mass and the roof incorporates a large expanse of photovoltaic panels to harvest solar energy.
The airport will initially accommodate 13 million passengers per year, but it has the flexibility to increase to 25 million passengers and to accommodate 50 million passengers with further development.
The terminal will comprise three symmetrical wings of departure gates. Each side spans 1.2 kilometres and all extend from a dramatic 25-metre-high central space.
To further aid orientation, the building is planned under a single roof canopy, punctuated by glazed openings that filter daylight, while deflecting direct solar radiation.
The canopy extends to shade a generous entrance plaza and is supported by tapering concrete columns. According to the designers, the fluid, organic forms draw inspiration from the contrast between the solidity of the stone and the shape and movement of Kuwait’s traditional sailing boats, also known as dhows.
“The scale of the airport shows Kuwait’s great foresight in recognising the benefits of strategic investment in future infrastructure. The environmental ambitions driving the project are equally impressive. The emblematic three-winged form will be as memorable from the air as from the ground – a new symbol of contemporary Kuwait, which resonates with its rich culture and history,” said Mouzhan Majidi, Chief Executive of Foster + Partners.
“We have established an excellent working relationship with our client – we have a shared goal to create a terminal that is an exemplar of sustainable design and will establish Kuwait as the region’s leading air hub,” added Nikolai Malsch, a partner at Foster + Partners.
