Take off: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners win international airport competition

Taiwan’s largest international airport is getting an architectural redesign, courtesy of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.

The British architects have beaten off other prestigious practices – including Foster + Partners and UN Studio – to design the new Terminal 3 building of Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport, formerly known Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, with a proposal that is ‘inherently simple in its concept.’

Ivan Harbour, partner at Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners explains: ‘We have created a rationally planned and easy to use airport that will be characterised by a flowing sequence of beautifully lit, acoustically comfortable and well-proportioned spaces. It will be an airport where the drama of the spatial experience is shared by all, at all times.’

Working with Taiwan engineering firm CECI and combining their learnings from Heathrow Terminal 5 and Barajas Terminal 4, RSHP’s latest project will be compromised of a new terminal building, boarding gates, concourses and a multi-function building with an impressive transport infrastructure. The dynamic, fluid structure will allow for easy adaptations and future transformations without compromising on passenger experience or architectural integrity.

Inspired and shaped by Taiwan’s landscapes, seas and its natural pace of life, the new terminal will be housed under an elegant hard shell roof. Within, adjustable scaling will enable to creation of changeable spaces, increasing wellbeing and comfort of travellers.

‘The approach to the airport and the open spaces within it will have an urban quality akin to a city centre,’ adds Harbour. ‘Addressing these spaces there will be a variety of buildings that, together with the new and existing terminals, will form the heart of a new compact, vibrant ‘aero’ city.’