Beijing Daxing International Airport : Beijing, China
Contributed by Katherine Rollins
Principles & Elements
When speaking on the base principles and elements, the Daxing airport is a prime example of utilizing them not just in the foundation but throughout the whole design to create a full and rich space. The contouring lines create harmony in the space which allows for the high contrast and movement throughout the room. There is also a hierarchy in scale as the forms that enclose the space are emphasized and expanded the higher into it one gets. Principles and elements are vital to this airport being as beautiful as it it is functional in its efforts.
Connections
There are many connections through Daxing airport, from the five terminals connecting to one central point and the basic design of hundreds of lines streaming across the ceiling parallel all to come back to a center. However, there is a larger-scale connection happening beyond the building itself. The purpose of an airport is to bring people in from all over the world and send others out it is a place for every culture, person, and life to connect not only to a new place but also to new people and experiences. Airports are the connection points of our modern world, and Daxing is no exception.
Materials
The materials in the airport are reflective of Chinese tradition and culture while also being modern in execution and design. The massive stainless steel frame allows for multi-tiered arrival and departure as well as the overall unique form of the airport. Additionally, traditional materials like wood and stone are integrated throughout the space, especially in a garden that allows passengers to wait for connections and flights in peace. The utilization of a geothermal heating and cooling system, rainwater collection system, and clean vehicles ensure the airport is not only high quality but sustainable in its materiality as well.
Light & Color
The airport’s interior contains little color in its base design, but instead a copious amount of light. Whether it is streaming in naturally from the windows or lining every contour and curve of the ceiling, light plays a huge role in the space. Not only is there a light quality from the ceiling, but also the highly reflective polished floors retain and reproduce extra brightness throughout the airport.
Experience
There is a universal feeling that comes with the airport environment, some stress, some excitement, and an overwhelming sense of movement that never seems to end. The experience of Daxing Airport in Beijing does not seem much different. As one of the largest airports in the world, the constant noise and movement never stop as people have places to go and no time to wait. This environment is also reflected in the architecture with the flowing lines on the ceiling and windows suggesting constant movement.
Theories
The wayfinding theory is a critical piece of informative design and is crucial in every space, whether obvious or subconscious. In the Daxing airport, there are many different places where subconscious wayfinding efforts have been put into practice. These include the directionality and flow of the lines on the ceiling throughout the airport, defining the flow of movement, as well as small pops of color or material change to signify an important stop or endpoint to a path.
Technology
China is a world leader in technological advancement so it makes sense for one of its largest points of contact with the rest of the globe to utilize those advancements to the best of its ability. Face ID recognition for check-in and boarding has made those long and straining processes more efficient and adds an extra layer of security. The creation of real-time luggage tracking ensures passengers know where their belongings are at all times and eases panic and stress. The airport has found ways to integrate technology into every step of the experience, making things more efficient, predictable, and overall better.
Finishes
Daxing airport is the definition of modern in terms of design. The interior is clean, white, and crisp, with many bright lights extending throughout the space. The clean white and glass finishes of most kiosks, desks, and entrances ensure the seamless blending of all elements in the space to create a unified whole. The perfectly polished floor throughout the whole airport also reflects the people, the light, and those clean-cut moments to mirror everything and fully encapsulate the space.
Furnishings
All designs should be centered on the human experience in a space. In an airport, that experience involves constant movement and lots of standing and waiting, so those moments when you reach the gate and have a moment to breathe are crucial. Daxing ensures an efficient yet comfortable option for sitting at the gate with reclined, cushioned, leather seats. These are close enough to optimize space but also wide enough to offer enough room for most people. The material choice is also important as they had to be easy to sanitize and maintain.
Telling Stories
On any given day, there are millions of people flying all over the world. This also inevitably means there are millions of people, each with individual stories, going through airports, especially Daxing, as it plans to have transported over 72 million people by the end of 2025. Daxing airport in Beijing is a perfect place to hold and tell those stories. People come and go from all over the world for reasons that span from love, to business, to loss, and so much more. Hubs of culture and stories just like Daxing exist all over the world; you just have to know where to look and what questions to ask.
