The Starfish Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport is Beijing's second international airport. It has been nicknamed "starfish" thanks to its unique shape. With an area of more than 1,000,000 m2 (11,000,000 sq ft); the terminal building is the largest single-structure airport terminal in the world, It was completed on 30/6/2019. The opening ceremony for the airport was held on 25/9/2019 with the airport opened to the public on 26/9/2019 (my birthday!:).

The airport is 65 kilometres South of Beijing Capital International Airport, and is planned to serve the catchment area of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei.

After almost five years of construction, the US$ 11.4 billion facility features a 700,000 m2 (7,500,000 sq ft) terminal and sits on 47 km2 of land, making it the world's second-largest single-building airport terminal after Istanbul Airport's main terminal.

Building of this magnitude requires a team of professionals to turn dream into reality. The airport's master plan was drafted by NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants) and features a ground transportation centre providing the airport with public transportation links to high-speed rail, metro, expressways, Beijing Airport Bus routes, local buses and inter-airport transportation system. The terminal building was designed by the late British star architect Zaha Hadid Architects (who also designed many iconic buildings in China and all over the world) and French planners ADPI, and executed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD). It consists of a central hub with six curved spokes. The façade was designed by XinShan Curtainwall and Beijing Institute of Architectural Design. Arup was subcontracted by Beijing Institute of Architectural Design as the fire engineering consultant, while China IPPR International Engineering was responsible for security system and baggage system designs. BuroHappold Engineering, as part of the consortium, worked with the architects to integrate engineering solutions into the design of the airport.

Hong Kong design studio Lead 8 was appointed as lead designer of the integrated service building (the 6th pier) in 2018. The terminal, according to Lead 8, will encompass "a purposeful design of work spaces, with integrated retail, dining, and entertainment options for the large number of passengers expected," with plans to incorporate interactive pet hotels, a child care and nursery, hybrid online retail and dining, and a showroom for companies.

The gracious curve lines evident throughout the building are the signature architectural feature that was favoured by Zaha Hadid. The seamless curves elevate the building and make it feels as if it is ready to take off. What a clever way to make a big building perceived to be light and airy. Other notable buildings by Zaha Hadid in China include the Wangjing SOHO in Beijing and the Guangzhou Opera House.