Building tomorrow: Aviation

Every month, three different voices from the practice share their ideas about the future of the built environment. Covering a range of typologies – from healthcare to stadiums and the workplace – we are building a picture of tomorrow.

This month, we asked Antoinette Nassopoulos-Erickson, Seif Bahaa-El-Din, and Matthew Hayhurst about aviation design. They share their ideas about the airport terminal of tomorrow, which is reactive to new technologies, celebrates a country’s identity, and brings the experience of the outside in.

Antoinette Nassopoulos-Erickson

“Airports are one of the most complex building types, encompassing the needs of operators and airlines, who together must deliver a world-class passenger experience. They include complex systems for processing passengers and bags, whilst delivering opportunities for shopping, hospitality, and entertainment. They are gateways to nations and often major transport interchanges, which act as huge catalysts for development.

With the contribution to greenhouse gas emissions estimated at two to three percent, there is an increasing focus on achieving net zero terminal buildings and tackling indirect scope three emissions. In the case of Centralny Port Komunikacyjny [CPK] Airport in Poland, there is also the potential to be energy positive. As chair of the IATA Airport Development Reference Manual sustainability group, we are demonstrating the practice’s leadership in sustainable airport design, which is supported by our project work. We always approach sustainability holistically, including green mobility, environment and health, community, energy and whole life carbon, performance management and future resilience.

In the context of designing airports, change is inevitable as they have to be extremely reactive to new technologies, market forces, and politics. Technology is already being employed to deliver automated contactless travel using digital identity systems and integrated flow management systems. We also embed opportunities for smart building management systems using predictive AI to manage environmental conditions to suit peaks and thus optimise energy use. AI and machine learning are at the forefront of airport automation, driving improvements across various aspects of airport operations.

Some airports are seeing the benefits of AI-powered biometric technology, facial recognition systems, intelligent bag scanning mechanisms, and the optimisation of commercial concession opportunities. Robotics for passenger processing, maintenance, and food service delivery are already being employed. Airports of the future, such as CPK, will be vibrant hubs where terrestrial and airborne technologies converge, integrating driverless vehicles and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, alongside high-speed train terminals.”

Antoinette is an architect and urban designer, who has worked on a number of aviation projects at Foster + Partners, including Heathrow T2 and T3, Tocumen International Airport, Spaceport America, New International Airport Mexico City, and the Marseille Provence Airport extension. She is currently working on New York Midtown Bus Terminal and CPK Airport in Poland, which will be a 21^st century transport interchange.

Seif Bahaa-El-Din

“An airport is the gateway to a country and must therefore reflect its heritage, culture, and vision for the future. The buildings associated with it also play an important role in creating and shaping a country’s identity – and have the incredible potential to strengthen or transform it into a global hub for business, tourism, and innovation.

This approach to placemaking should carry through every element of the design, from bag drop to reclaim. The airport ought to be a contemporary celebration of what the country has to offer. Moreover, the passenger journey should be completely seamless and human-centric, reducing processing times and maximising time spent enjoying the airport's amenities. New technologies are essential for streamlining and personalising these processes – ensuring that they are stress-free and highly intuitive for everyone.

Our ongoing work transforms the passenger journey, across all touchpoints, and seeks to replicate the immersive experiences of the city at a human-scale, while offering best-in-class operations.”

Seif is an architect and senior partner, who joined the practice in 2010. He has worked on notable large-scale infrastructure projects such as Karamian High Speed Rail, Queen Alia International Airport, and the Slussen masterplan in Stockholm. He is currently working on King Salman International Airport in Riyadh.

Matthew Hayhurst

“In my view, the future of airport design is about optimising passenger wellbeing, by engaging the senses, providing access to green spaces, and offering more autonomy at every stage of the journey.

Creating a connection between inside and outside is central to our work at Techo International Airport in Cambodia and the Red Sea Airport in Saudi Arabia. The Techo terminal is bounded by two large public gardens and their greenery is designed to flow through the building. Meanwhile, the Red Sea project invites passengers to travel through a landscaped garden before having their passports checked.

Our new Abha Airport terminal, also in Saudi Arabia, seamlessly integrates with the landside masterplan and shares the same architectural language. The scheme reinvents the airport as a series of interconnected human-scale clusters, shaded outdoor courtyards and walkways. The airport will be an extension of the region’s vernacular architecture, which is reimagined for the 21^st century and beyond.   

Making the most of Abha’s temperate climate, the terminal’s landscaped courtyards bring fresh air, greenery, and natural light to the experience of travel. Passengers who are waiting to board will have the option to step outside, browse the shops, or enjoy a coffee in the open.

The design allows passengers to craft their own journeys through the space and provides direct connections with nature, to reduce stress and enhance comfort.”

Matthew is an architect and partner, who has worked on Techo International Airport in Cambodia, the Red Sea Airport in Saudi Arabia, and the new terminal for Abha Airport in the country’s Aseer Region, amongst other projects.

Artwork by the Design Communications team at Foster + Partners.