Architecture

Stunning wooden airport will feature an indoor forest

Stunning wooden airport will feature an indoor forest
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II will include a large 16,132 sq m (173,643 sq ft) indoor forest area, which will be accessible to both staff and passengers
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II will include a large 16,132 sq m (173,643 sq ft) indoor forest area, which will be accessible to both staff and passengers
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Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II was commissioned following an architecture competition
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Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II was commissioned following an architecture competition
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II's facade is defined by large wooden columns and an upside-down pyramid motif
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Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II's facade is defined by large wooden columns and an upside-down pyramid motif
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II will comprise 348,000 sq m (3.7 million sq ft) of floorspace
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Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II will comprise 348,000 sq m (3.7 million sq ft) of floorspace
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II from Duangrit Bunnag Architect Limited also involves engineering firm Nikken Sekkei
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Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II from Duangrit Bunnag Architect Limited also involves engineering firm Nikken Sekkei
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II is reminiscent of Kengo Kuma's work – specifically the Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum
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Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II is reminiscent of Kengo Kuma's work – specifically the Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II will feature intricate wooden detailing
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Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II will feature intricate wooden detailing
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II is designed by Duangrit Bunnag Architect Limited
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Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II is designed by Duangrit Bunnag Architect Limited
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II reportedly has a construction budget of 35 billion baht (roughly US$1 billion)
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Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II reportedly has a construction budget of 35 billion baht (roughly US$1 billion)
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II will include a large 16,132 sq m (173,643 sq ft) indoor forest area, which will be accessible to both staff and passengers
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Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II will include a large 16,132 sq m (173,643 sq ft) indoor forest area, which will be accessible to both staff and passengers
View gallery - 9 images

Duangrit Bunnag Architect Limited (DBALP) has unveiled an eye-catching design for a new airport terminal in Bangkok that features intricate wooden detailing and an indoor forest. The new building is reportedly expected to be operational in 2025.

Details are still rather thin on the ground at this early stage, but assuming all goes well, the Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II will provide an additional 348,000 sq m (3.7 million sq ft) of floorspace to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Its most interesting indoor feature is a large 16,132 sq m (173,643 sq ft) tropical forest, which is meant to reflect Thailand's lush landscape and will include a waterfall.

The tropical forest area will be accessible to both staff and passengers, and should make for a pleasant spot to escape the bustle of the busy airport.

Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II's facade is defined by large wooden columns and an upside-down pyramid motif
Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II's facade is defined by large wooden columns and an upside-down pyramid motif

The new terminal building will be fronted by a facade with large wooden columns and an upside-down pyramid motif that's continued inside. The design brings to mind Kengo Kuma's work – specifically his Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum in Japan. Indeed, there has been some controversy over their perceived similarity.

DBALP head Duangrit Bunnag recently rejected claims of plagiarism, reports the Bangkok Post. The newspaper also says that construction on the project is due to begin next year, with an estimated budget of 35 billion baht (roughly US$1 billion), and that the airport is expected to be up and running by 2025.

The Suvarnabhumi International Passenger Terminal II proposal was commissioned following an architecture competition and also involves engineering expert Nikken Sekkei, and others.

Source: DBALP

View gallery - 9 images
4 comments
4 comments
Nik
Would I be able to claim a refund on my ticket, if I missed my flight, because I got lost in the forest?
Terence Hawkes
Hmm, a beautiful steamy tropical rainforest and exposed wood. How do you prevent rspid and destructive wood rot?
piperTom
I love that miniature forest! I'd miss my flight from being mesmerized by it. Too bad that pressure for expensive floor space will soon cause it to suffer a size reduction... and then another... and then...
Nik
Terence Hawkes; They will certainly be using tropical hard woods, that are inherently resistant to rot in that climate, and it most likely will also be heavily treated to keep bugs at bay. Even in the UK, there are timber buildings 400-500 years old, and still in daily use, that are built with Oak, which is nowhere near as resistant to tropical conditions. Old oak, square rigged, sailing ships had a life expectancy of 20 years, so as this building is not immersed in water, it should have a much longer life expectancy. Who knows where air travel will be 20 years from now?