shenzhen airport under construction – fuksas – china

Shenzhen International Airport under construction – Massimiliano + Doriana Fuksa

Project info:

Object: Shenzhen bao’an international airport-expansion t3

Project: Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas

Structural + facade engineering: Knippers Helbig – advanced engineering, Stuttgart – New York

Date: 2008-2012 (first phase)

Client: Shenzhen airport (group) co., ltd

Area: 400.000 mq in phase 3

Type: ongoing project

Interior design: Fuksas design

General contractor: china state construction engineering corporation, Beijing

Architect of record: Biad (Beijing institute of architectural design), Beijing

Lighting consulting: Speirs & major associates, Edinburgh, London

Designboom recently visited the construction site for the terminal 3 extension at the ‘Shenzhen bao’an international airport’ by Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas. Won by competition in 2008, the 400,000 square meter addition will make the airport the fourth largest in china following Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The undulating and fluid exterior is generated with a triple layer structural system to support the clear spans of the interior’s 80 meter width. a deep space frame connects to the outer honeycomb skin and inner box frame trusses which undulate independently of external form, producing one supporting unit. Extensive computer analysis was needed to generate the custom measurements for each hexagonal metal panel and operable glass window on the 300,000 square meter surface area. the steel framework is attached to a series of super columns, diverting heavy loads into the concrete substructure and foundations.

Sectioned into three levels, the ground floor will accommodate passenger arrivals and the first floor will be reserved for departures.

The upper platform will facilitate public services for transient visitors. The project’s expected completion date is in 2015. Via