Major new airports opposed to the background of forests and mountains are set up to boost travel to Bhutan's South Asian country. Jeref International Airport is scheduled to open in 2029 and will be the second international airport in the landlocked country.
The 68,000 square metre terminal welcomes 5.5 million passengers by 2065. It is designed by Big in collaboration with aviation engineering company NACO.
Big Founder's Bjarke Ingels said the designers chose the diagram structure from the natural landscapes of the airport, which resemble “a distant stylized mountain range.” Local artisans are involved in creating intricate wooden sculptures depicting the dragons that make up the exterior of the building.
The arrival square is divided into four zones, each filled with canopies for native plants, seating areas and shelter. There is also a greenery inside the airport. In the courtyard, named Forest Spine, the terminal is divided into two sections. One is dedicated to domestic flights, the other is east towards international flights. The forest spine is lined with skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows, which hopes to provide travelers with a walkable area with natural light.
The airport also features mindfulness spaces specializing in yoga, gong baths and meditation. Meanwhile, the “Mobility Hub” connects Jerev to the rest of Bhutan via trams and buses.
People around the world will be seeing Jerev International Airport for the first time when the project is exhibited at the Venice Architectural Biennale later this year.
BIG partner Frederik Lyng said:”For the Gelephu International Airport, we wanted to create an experience that feels deeply Bhutanese – calm, welcoming, and connected to nature. The airport will provide an outstanding passenger experience, where generous daylit spaces, elements of the Bhutanese landscape, and the intricate carvings of the Bhutanese craftsmen go hand in hand to gently guide the passenger through the termi
He added: “Airport architecture consists of modular mass wood frames that offer flexibility and magnification similar to a stylized mountain range in the distance. Personally, this unusual embrace of traditional craft and colour is a true testament to how it was influenced by its encounter with Bhutan.
