
Beijing Daxing International Airport, one of the world's largest airports, was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and ADP Ingénierie. The airport, which is nicknamed the starfish for its shape, features a terminal the size of 97 soccer pitches, making it the largest single-building terminal globally. The terminal building was designed by British architects Zaha Hadid Architects, French planners ADPI and partners, and executed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Beijing Daxing International Airport |
| Location | 46 kilometers (29 mi) south of Tiananmen Square, 26 kilometers (16 mi) west of downtown Langfang, 50 kilometers (31 mi) northeast of Xiong'an New Area, and 65 kilometers (40 mi) south of Beijing Capital International Airport |
| Size | 2,679 hectares (6,620 acres) |
| Cost | $11.5 billion |
| Number of runways | 7 (6 for civilian use and 1 for military purposes) |
| Capacity | 72-75 million passengers |
| Design | Starfish-shaped with five concourses connecting to a main hall |
| Architects | Zaha Hadid Architects, ADP Ingénierie, Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, Hong Kong design studio Lead 8 |
| Construction start date | December 26, 2014 |
| Opening date | September 26, 2019 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Zaha Hadid Architects
The airport's unique design sets it apart from its peers, forming a new type of transportation centre built for the future. The terminal building, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, features a central hub with six curved spokes, resembling a starfish. This design echoes principles within traditional Chinese architecture that organise interconnected spaces around a central courtyard. The terminal's design seamlessly guides passengers through departure, arrival, or transfer zones towards the grand courtyard at its centre, a multi-layered meeting space.
The terminal covers 700,000 square metres, making it the world's largest airport terminal. It includes an 80,000 square metre ground transportation centre, offering direct connections to Beijing, the national high-speed rail network, and local train services. The compact, radial design of the terminal allows a maximum number of aircraft to be parked directly at the terminal, reducing walking distances for passengers and providing operational flexibility.
Airports on Reel: The Best Cinematic Portrayals
You may want to see also
Explore related products

ADP Ingénierie
The terminal building, which cost $11.5 billion, features a central hub with six curved spokes, or five prongs, designed by ADP Ingénierie and Zaha Hadid Architects. This design has been likened to a starfish, with five concourses connecting to a main hall. The starfish design echoes traditional Chinese architecture, which often features interconnected spaces around a central courtyard.
Latam Airlines: Which US Airports Does It Fly To?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Beijing Institute of Architectural Design
The Beijing Daxing International Airport is one of the world's largest airports, with a passenger terminal that spans 700,000 square meters (7.5 million square feet). It is located on the border of Beijing and Hebei Province, 46 kilometres south of Tiananmen Square. The airport officially opened on September 26, 2019, and cost around US$11.5 billion to construct.
The Beijing Daxing International Airport was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, a British architecture firm, in collaboration with French planners ADP Ingénierie (ADPI) and partners. The Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD), a large-scale state-owned architectural design and consulting institute, played a significant role in executing the design.
BIAD, established in 1949, is the first architectural design institution in new China. It is headquartered in China and committed to providing the highest quality design works. BIAD's business scope includes urban planning, investment planning, large-scale public building design, civil architecture design, interior decoration design, landscape design, and intelligent system engineering design.
For the Beijing Daxing International Airport project, BIAD was involved in the design of the landscape and the façade of the terminal building. The terminal building features a unique starfish-like shape with five concourses connecting to a central hall. This design draws inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture, organising interconnected spaces around a central courtyard.
In addition to its work on the airport, BIAD has completed several other notable projects. It has a focus on cultural, educational, and public architecture, and its Unlimited Architecture Center specialises in the design and research of super high-rise buildings and urban complexes. BIAD adheres to the concept of "architecture leads society and design creates value," striving to offer integrated solutions that incorporate digital technology, intelligence, and environmental sustainability.
Identifying Airport Express Generations: A Quick Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

XinShan Curtainwall
The Beijing Daxing International Airport is a breathtaking airport that was inaugurated in September 2019. It is one of the two international airports serving Beijing, China, and is the world's biggest single-terminal airport. The airport is located in the city's Daxing district, 46 kilometres south of the city centre. It covers an expanse of 2,679 hectares and has four civilian runways and one military runway.
The airport's terminal building was designed by British architects Zaha Hadid Architects, French planners ADPI and partners, and executed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD). The façade, however, was designed by XinShan Curtainwall and Beijing Institute of Architectural Design Group Co – Complex Structure Division. XinShan Curtainwall played a crucial role in shaping the airport's exterior appearance and overall aesthetic appeal.
The XinShan Curtainwall team worked closely with the architects and engineers to ensure that the façade met the structural and aesthetic requirements of the project. They utilised advanced technologies and modelling techniques to create a seamless integration of the façade with the rest of the airport's design. The team also considered the surrounding environment and incorporated design elements that complemented the local culture and landscape.
Overall, XinShan Curtainwall's contribution to Beijing Daxing International Airport is a testament to their expertise and creativity in façade design. Their work has enhanced the airport's visual appeal, functionality, and sustainability, making it a landmark in airport design and a source of pride for the region.
Heathrow Airport: Navigating London's Busy Travel Hub
You may want to see also
Explore related products

BIAD and ZHA collaboration
The Beijing Daxing International Airport is a $11.5 billion project that began in 2014. It is one of the world's largest airports, with a main building that spans 700,000 square meters (7.5 million square feet). The airport's unique design and massive size set it apart, featuring a terminal the size of 97 soccer pitches. It is nicknamed the "starfish" for its shape, which consists of five concourses connecting to a main hall. This design echoes traditional Chinese architecture, with interconnected spaces around a central courtyard.
The terminal building was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), a British firm, in collaboration with French planners ADP Ingénierie (ADPI) and partners, and executed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD). The close partnership between BIAD and ZHA, particularly on the interiors of the terminal, benefited from ongoing collaboration between the two firms on multiple architectural projects across China. This ensured that the terminal was delivered to the highest standards.
The Beijing team for ZHA included Satoshi Ohashi, Rita Lee, Yang Jingwen, Lillie Liu, and Juan Liu. The project directors were Cristiano Ceccato and Charles Walker, with Mouzhan Majidi as the project director. Lydia Kim served as the project architect, while Eugene Leung and Shao-Wei Huang handled project coordination.
BIAD, a local design institute, contributed to the landscape design, working with ZHA to integrate engineering solutions into the airport's design. The consortium team also included Pascall + Watson, BuroHappold Engineering, Mott Macdonald, and EC Harris Consultants, among others. The collaboration between ADPI and ZHA resulted in a functional layout that was integrated into the terminal's fluid architectural language and spatial design.
Airport Ramp Slopes: Ensuring Safe Aircraft Maneuverability
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Beijing Daxing International Airport was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, ADP Ingénierie (ADPI), and the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD).
The airport's design is inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, with a central courtyard and five concourses connecting to a main hall, resembling a starfish. The terminal building has a compact, radial design, allowing for efficient passenger movement and maximum aircraft parking. It also features rainwater collection and a water management system.
Numerous other firms contributed to the airport's construction, including XinShan Curtainwall, Arup, China IPPR International Engineering, BuroHappold Engineering, and Hong Kong design studio Lead 8.











































