Beijing Daxing International Airport
Develop a sophisticated concept for the Beijing’s second international airport
Design project for the construction of Beijing’s second international airport with its first North Terminal area development.
- BNAH (Beijing New Airport Headquarters)
- Daxing, The People’s Republic of China
- 2011 - 2015
- In-house planning, architecture, and engineering resources to develop a sophisticated concept through Program and Design services during the conception phase, as well as providing technical assistance during the development phase
10
runways
45 Mpax
airside capacity extendable to 72 Mpax with satellite, 100 Mpax (ultimate)
780 000 m²
main passenger terminal building (north terminal)
CONTEXT & CHALLENGES
As Beijing Capital International Airport approached full capacity around 2012 and could no longer expand following the completion of Terminal 3 in 2008, the Chinese government decided to establish a second international airport for the capital. This new airport, located in the southern part of the city, aims to accommodate growing demand and balance the city’s rapid expansion.
The significant growth in air travel today demands the creation of new airport facilities, giving rise to a new generation of terminal buildings worldwide – what we call mega-airports. One of the primary design challenges in this competition was the scale of the project. With over 80 aircraft contact stands spanning 5 kilometers of airside façade and a capacity of 72 Mpax per year, we recognized that to meet these demands we had the necessity for a bold and innovative approach to develop a truly world-class mega-airport.
OUR SOLUTION
Artelia’s airport concept features an innovative vertical stacking of international and domestic levels instead of horizontal expansion. This design creates a compact terminal with a central hub for boarding pier control, arranged in a radial manner (60°), almost like a star.
The centralized single-terminal concept offers several advantages: it is efficient and economical to operate, enhances the passenger experience, and improves ground transportation. The terminal’s compact design reduces the distance to the farthest boarding gate to only 600m with a visual clarity that allows passengers to easily navigate towards their gate from the grand skylight area with shops and services.
Our human-centered approach prioritizes passenger experience, making navigation intuitive and minimizing stress. The open central space enhances well-being and fluid movement.
Inspired by Chinese traditions, the terminal integrates sustainable development at its core. Our goal is to create an iconic airport that embodies environmental management and climate protection, aspiring to be Asia’s leading green hub.
DESIGN FEATURES
Innovative Five Radial Pier Configuration: This groundbreaking design minimizes walking distances for passengers, significantly enhancing their overall experience.
Pioneering Double-Layer Departure Floor: The world’s first large terminal building to feature a double-layer departure floor, effectively addressing the challenge of balancing passenger traffic with building footprint.
Seamless Rail Transit Integration: This design optimizes transfer efficiency, maximizing the operational capabilities of the comprehensive transportation hub for air-rail intermodal transport.
Integrated Large-Span Exterior Envelope System: This innovative system harmonizes the building’s exterior, interior, structure, and thermal engineering, providing passengers with a unique and enhanced experience.
Unmatched Commercial Services: Offering the most extensive range of commercial services in China, this approach creates a win-win scenario by catering to passenger needs while boosting non-aviation revenue.