Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3 Landscape and Urban Planning

Project Profile

"Long forests and square farmland" inspired the overall character of the design for Beijing’s new airport terminal. Derived from the landscape fabric of rural Beijing, it conveys the vernacular landscape legacy of the city, and displays the city’s extraordinary modernity. "Long forests and square farmland" reflects an efficient and comprehensive design function while maintaining a safe and healthy ecological relationship and employing economical yet sound construction methods.

Based on the concept, the design has the following five features:　　

1. Long Forests

In Bejing, as well as the other parts of Northern China, the prevailing landscape element is a forest enclosing the surrounding urban environment. Based on the rich visual experience, the forest belts were designed taking into account a vehicle’s speed, position and angle when entering and exiting the airport. Native trees were selected and lead the view towards the surrounding landscape. The forest also functions as a spatial framework, visually shielding the buildings on both sides to further enhance the landscape and create a lush and welcoming entrance.

2. Square Farmland

Through satellite images the remarkable agricultural texture of rural Beijing’s landscape is evident: square farmlands surrounded by linear forests. Native fruit trees, arbors, flowers, and shrubs are planted in the fields, creating a hierarchy of texture that is rich in seasonal color and changes.　

3. Pond

The pond is an important landscape element in Beijing and also an integral part of the farmland texture. A rainwater harvesting system is established through a series of reservoirs and canals and collected water is released to the pond is through the rainwater regulating tank located on the west side of the site. A myriad of rushes, sedges, lotus, reeds and other native wetland plants can be found growing in the pond throughout the year.　　

4. Courtyard

The traditional courtyard structure of historic Beijing dates back almost 2,200 years. This simplistic yet elegant layout inspired the structure of the courtyard style for the terminal. The courtyards are connected through linear forests, creating a series of gardens enclosed in a new modern Beijing courtyard style.　　

5. Squares

Several small urban plazas are situated throughout the space. These function as transitional zones between the agricultural courtyards and the forested green space that provide shaded intimate gathering spaces and provide respite for visitors.