A public exhibition opens today of the short-listed designs for the new terminal at Beijing Capital International Airport. The submission designed by the team comprising Foster and Partners, ARUP and the Dutch airport planners NACO will be displayed from 10-16 September at Beijing Capital International Airport. The winner of the competition will be announced in October 2003.
The proposed new terminal designed by the NACO Foster ARUP JV Team a modern gateway to China - will sit between the existing eastern runway and the future third runway. The terminal building is designed to be as efficient as possible with few level changes, short walking distances and quick transfer times. The joy and excitement of flight is reflected in the soaring aerodynamic roof. The buildings vast scale and dramatic form will create a new icon for Beijing, symbolic of Chinas rapid modernisation.
The US$ 650 million expansion of Beijings airport, currently the busiest in China, is required to handle the massive increase in passengers due to Chinas entry to the WTO (World Trade Organisation) and Beijings hosting the 2008 Olympics. Its capacity will be increased from 27 to 60 million passengers per annum by 2015.
