A new airport in the world’s most mountainous country will impress with its rich traditional design. Gelephu International Airport in Bhutan is an ambitious new project by Danish design studio BIG. The facility will resemble rows of wooden canopies hammered into a small patch of flat land in the Himalayas. The wood-carved ornaments are meant to refer to the colourful art of the mountain kingdom.
Right at the foot of the world’s highest mountains, Jigme King Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck intends to build a Bhutanese city of the future. With a population of almost 10,000 people, Gelephu, located on the Indo-Bhutan border, is to be transformed into the country’s economic and development centre (Gelephu Mindfulness City). The small town is located on a flat piece of land in the country, 98 per cent of which is mountainous. This is why one of the most important elements of the investment is the country’s second international airport.
Dragon airstrip
Architect Bjarke Ingels’ design calls for an airport made up of triangular prism-shaped blocks. The wooden frames of the segments are to be carved by Bhutanese craftsmen, and the patterns they create are to refer to the colourful and intricate art of the country. The colourful dragons will symbolise Bhutan’s past, present and promising future. The aforementioned ‘Druk’ dragon is Bhutan’s national symbol, which can be seen on the official flag. Moreover, the king bears the title of ‘Thunder Dragon’. Therefore, in Gelephu, the combination of traditional carving and painting will create a beautiful and authentic showcase for the country.
The lump in the middle is the main hall, from which passengers will be able to access the gates, baths, as well as the meditation and yoga rooms. This cohesive design is intended to be in line with the philosophy of ‘fullness of mind’, which explains the airport’s unusual appearance. The Bhutanese approach to life is also reflected in the functionality of the airport. The roofs of the blocks will be lined with photovoltaic panels and the wooden structure is expected to absorb moisture from the air. It is noteworthy that the country’s southern border region lies in a subtropical climate and is therefore rich in rain. Gabled roofs seem the ideal solution for torrential conditions.
Subtropical gardens with lush vegetation and tall trees will run through the middle of the airport grounds. Greenery is also expected to come inside. Plants will have the right conditions thanks to the abundance of light coming through the glass walls. Interestingly, the crowns of the trees will be visible from terraces suspended above the garden.
The airport will be connected to Gelephu by bus lines. What’s more, modern trackless trams are also expected to enter the renewed city. BIG expects the airport to handle 1.3 million passengers a year by 2040. The domestic and international terminal will allow 123 aircraft to be handled per day. Gelephu Airport is a great combination of innovation and local culture. The BIG project is not another tin hall with runways next door, but a truly Bhutanese temple of air transport.
Photo source: BIG
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