Bhutan is known for its jaw-dropping natural beauty. Often likened to the fictional lost paradise of Shangri-La, this far-flung kingdom in the Himalayas has landscapes defined by stupendous mountains, graceful valleys, and glittering rivers. The beauty of its traditional architecture also stands out – seen in the colourful and intricate design of its mighty dzongs and monasteries.
Soon, you can add Bhutan’s upcoming Gelephu International Airport to the country's list of architectural gems. Design firm BIG has just revealed new renderings of the planned city, and needless to say, we can't wait for the airport's completion in 2029.
Bhutan's natural landscapes and traditional architecture have deeply influenced the design. From afar, the airport's diagrid structure forms a series of peaks meant to appear like a mountain range, bringing to mind the country's soaring pinnacles.
Within the airport, BIG plans to build a biophilic "forest spine" courtyard to separate the arrival hall from the rest of the terminal – a shout out to Bhutan's biodiversity. To pay homage to Bhutanese traditional crafts, the airport's interior will also feature vibrantly carved timber, and as Archinect reports, "dragon iconography representing the past, present, and future of the country".
And as if the airport wasn't awesome enough, the design will also make room for yoga spaces and wellness facilities.
The spirit of BIG's airport design is in keeping with Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City, a 386-square-mile special administrative region that aims to balance innovation, sustainability, and mindfulness. Besides the upcoming international airport, another mind-blowing infrastructure project is the Sankosh Temple-Dam, a hydroelectric dam that's been called "a 21st-century Tiger's Nest".
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