Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has revealed its plans for the brand new Gelephu Worldwide Airport, which can grow to be Bhutan’s second worldwide airport. Strategically located close to the Bhutan-Indian border and the Paitha River, the airport will span 68,000 sq. meters and be surrounded by the dominion’s lush subtropical forests, mountains, and rivers. The design goals to go away vacationers with an enduring impression of Bhutan and its Mindfulness Metropolis in Gelephu.
The airport’s façade will function modular mass timber frames that present flexibility and expandability, creating the looks of a stylized mountain vary from a distance. These mass timber members will probably be intricately carved and coloured in keeping with conventional Bhutanese craft, with three kinds of dragons representing Bhutan’s previous, current, and future, merging avant-garde innovation with heritage.
Internally, the airport will showcase Bhutanese tradition by means of numerous inside design selections, reminiscent of Shing-Zo (carpentry), Par-Zo (carving), Lha-Zo (portray) and Tshar-Zo (conventional weaving methods). Conventional Bhutanese carvings will lengthen from the outside to the interiors, making a cohesive design. The airport will probably be bathed in pure mild, that includes a grand triple-height entry, expansive home windows and skylights, offering tranquil indoor and outside lounges for yoga, sound baths and meditation, reflecting Bhutan’s values.
Designed by BIG in collaboration with Arup and Cistri, the airport is scheduled to open in 2029. It’s projected to welcome 1.3 million passengers yearly by 2040 and deal with 123 flights day by day. An set up on the Venice Structure Biennale 2025 will function a timber diamond piece from the airport’s façade.
This revolutionary design showcases Bhutan’s cultural heritage whereas incorporating fashionable components, making certain that the Gelephu Worldwide Airport offers a memorable and significant expertise for vacationers. The undertaking highlights the cautious consideration of cultural and environmental components, making a useful and aesthetically pleasing gateway to Bhutan’s Mindfulness Metropolis.
