Location: Istanbul, Turkey.

Architect: Grimshaw, Nordic-Office of Architecture, Haptic Architects, Scott Brownrigg.

The Istanbul Airport, which opened in April 2019, is the largest single terminal in the world with a floor area of 1.4 million sq m and an initial capacity of 90 million passengers per year. The airport was designed to improve connectivity to Istanbul and the rest of the world, and to provide an iconic transport hub for the city. The project was delivered by an international architectural team who created a modern, functional design that captures the cultural influences of Istanbul. The building structure was influenced by the work of classical Turkish architect, Mimar Sinan.

The terminal features generous and grand spaces, as well as smaller areas to create variations in scale and variety along the passenger route. The roof and layout design reinforce passenger flows through the use of a vaulted ceiling and geometry, giving a clear sense of direction from landside to airside. The building’s size is addressed through the inclusion of simple, yet elegant forms, extensive green planting, and the dramatic use of natural light. Skylights within the terminal bring diffused natural daylight through the ceiling, creating grand and atmospheric spaces.