Project Name: Gelephu International Airport

Location: Gelephu, The Kingdom of Bhutan

Design Team: BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)

Total Floor Area: 68,000 m²

Expected Completion: 2029

Collaborators: Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO), Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC), Changi Airport Planners and Engineers, Influit, WT Partnership

Feature:

Project - BIG has designed an innovative international airport for Bhutan's Mindfulness City, merging traditional craftsmanship with modern architectural concepts. This 68,000-square-meter airport is an integral part of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) masterplan, aimed at establishing a key aviation and business hub.

The design team drew inspiration from Bhutan's natural environment and cultural traditions to create an impressive timber diagrid structure that resembles a stylized Himalayan mountain range from a distance. The structure's most striking feature is its innovative use of traditional Bhutanese woodcarving techniques, with each structural element meticulously carved and painted by local artisans, adorned with three types of dragons representing Bhutan's past, present, and future.

The spatial design reflects a profound understanding of passenger experience, introducing a central courtyard called the "Forest Spine" that divides the terminal into domestic and international flight sections. This design brings Bhutan's rich biodiversity corridors directly into the airport interior, allowing travelers to maintain a connection with nature throughout their journey. A triple-height entry hall, floor-to-ceiling windows, and skylights bathe the entire space in natural light.

What makes Gelephu International Airport unique is its successful integration of mindfulness principles with functional requirements. Indoor and outdoor lounges provide spaces for yoga, meditation, and relaxation, embodying Bhutan's emphasis on happiness and psychological well-being. Simultaneously, the airport employs climate-responsive passive designs, including wooden structures that absorb moisture from the air to regulate indoor humidity, ventilated roofs and courtyards that promote natural airflow, and extended eaves that provide shade and protection against heavy rainfall.

This is not merely an airport but a showcase of Bhutanese cultural essence, perfectly blending tradition with innovation, history with future, offering international travelers a unique gateway to experience the spirit of Bhutan.

Design Team - BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), founded by Bjarke Ingels in 2005, has evolved into one of the most influential architectural design firms globally. BIG is known for its innovative "Yes is More" design philosophy, emphasizing architectural solutions to contemporary urban and environmental challenges.

The firm's projects span buildings of various scales and functions across the globe, from residential and cultural venues to large public spaces and urban planning. BIG's work is characterized by combining practical functionality with dramatic forms, creating buildings that both meet user needs and possess iconic appearances. Their design approach emphasizes sustainability, social responsibility, and user experience while maintaining a strong spirit of innovation.

Under Bjarke Ingels' leadership, BIG has completed numerous acclaimed projects, including 8 House in Copenhagen, VIA 57 West in New York, CopenHill power plant/ski slope in Copenhagen, and now the Gelephu International Airport in Bhutan. The studio's design method combines deep understanding of site and cultural context while pursuing innovative expressions of architectural form.

BIG's global influence is reflected through its extensive international projects and contributions to architectural education and research. Their work is frequently featured in architectural media worldwide and has received multiple international design awards, establishing BIG's position as a leader in contemporary architectural design.