Stunning New Terminal at Shenzen Bao’an International Airport

It’s not often that we get to talk about airports but there is a lot happening in the aviation industry. One landmark development is the proposed construction of a new terminal at Shenzen Bao’an International Airport in China. Positioned as a gateway to China and designed by architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, the terminal will no doubt be a sleek transit destination. What has captured our attention is the incredible double skin canopy intended to let patterned natural light into the space, and significantly reduce energy consumption.



Shenzhen, located in the southern portion of the Guangdong Province in China, is one of the most important industrial and tourist locations, and holds a great potential for economic development. The new terminal at Shenzhen Bao’an International has been proposed as an addition to the 10.8 km2 airport, located near Huangtian and Fuyong villages in Bao’an District of Shenzhen.

The design has been made keeping in mind the unpredictable nature of the aviation industry. The terminal will be made so that people could have a glimpse of the outside, where planes will fly in and out to all corners of the world. The roof canopy will be made of of a patterned double skin. The inner skin will be made of fine net and allow diffused sunlight into the terminal. It will reduce energy consumption and create a pleasant indoor atmosphere.

The master plan shows a truly stunning design. The new terminal, dubbed Terminal 3 or T3, will be built in three phases and cover 400,000 square meters. Phase 1, expected to be complete in 2015, will bring the unit terminal, traffic system, parking place, landscape, and shopping center into form. During phase 2, the first remote passenger concourse, and satellite terminal with rail stations will be built and completed by 2025. Phase 3 is scheduled to be complete in 2035, when the terminal will be fully constructed.