‘Floating Feather’ Proposed To Take Flight As New Airport Terminal In China
In the northeastern city of Changchun, Jilin in China, Ma Yansong and his architectural firm MAD Architects have proposed a new whimsical airport terminal that takes the shape of a “floating feather.”
The design choice stems from a practical one, as a three-pronged building will potentially allow for 54 gates and increased seating near departure areas. However, the entire shape of the structure is also meant to evoke the feeling of airplanes floating as light as feathers as they descend and ascend into the sky.
Airplanes will dock along either side of the tails of the building, offering a more straightforward system for traffic flow on the tarmac.
The fan-shaped building will sport skylights to bring natural light into the airport. Arching up along the structure are golden slits that cast a warm glow in the interior. Overall the design of the terminal captures the grace of the natural environment of the city.
Speaking of nature, MAD Architects is also looking to turn this project into a “garden terminal” by inviting nature in the form of gardens, trees, and wooden fixtures to blend the airport Changchun’s surrounding environment harmoniously.
The entire terminal will sprawl over 2.9 million square feet of land and accommodate 22 million passengers when complete. The new airport is also designated to connect to the other two terminals. Its large open ground floor will also direct traffic easily towards cabs and an integrated subway station that will bring them directly into Changchun.
Currently, there is no set date for its completion.
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[via CNN and ArchDaily, images via MAD Architects]
