The future of airports, part 2: Inspired by nature

Skift Take

Antonio Lamela and Richard Rogers should get credit for getting the organic ball rolling with their award-winning design for Madrid's Barajas airport. If you're going to be inspired, it's a good place to start.

Fusing ultra-modern architecture with nature-fuelled design features is proving a popular route to creating unexpected, stimulating airport environments – while also aiming to deflect air travel’s anti-green reputation. UK practice Foster + Partners is harnessing a mix of tech wizardry and nature-inspired design touches to ensure that its plans for the Kuwait International Airport – opening in 2016 – win the world’s first environmental LEED gold-certified passenger terminal. The spectacular interiors will include a baggage reclaim surrounded by cooling waterfalls and (externally) a landscaped oasis-style garden filled with native plants – offering shade from the desert heat.

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