Student winners envision the “Airport of the Future” in 2016 Fentress Global Challenge

Students from over 50 countries sent their best design concepts of the “Airport of the Future“ in the 2016 Fentress Global Challenge. Out of the shortlisted entries revealed last November, three student proposals won the big prizes for best “reflect[ing] bold conceptual thinking, acute sensitivity to context, and [skill]” in reimagining airport design.

The lucky first-prize winning team — Xingqiao Li, Fang Yu and Que Wang from the Xi’An University of Architecture and Technology — got to take home the US$15,000 prize and an opportunity for a four-week paid internship at Fentress Architects. The second-place proposal won US$3,000, third place US$2,000, and the People’s Choice Award received US$1,000.

Check out the winning proposals below.

1ST PRIZE: AIRPORT UNDER THE FOREST PARK (Shanghai, China) by Xingqiao Li, Fang Yu and Que Wang of Xi’An University of Architecture and Technology

Project summary: “Situated in Shanghai, the winning proposal points to a greener and more sustainable future for cities in China. With a sophisticated elevator system that interconnects underground takeoff runways, the design incorporates vast parklands and landscapes surrounding a sculptural terminal building.”

2ND PRIZE: HONG KONG AEROCENOSIS (Hong Kong) by Anna Andronova of Kazan State University of Architecture and Engineering, Kazan, Russia 

Project summary: “Inspired by the Chinese dragon figure, a conceptual take on urban infrastructure defines this futuristic proposal for Hong Kong. The speculative vision combines technology with a ubiquitous transportation system that links natural habitats with existing trade, production and recreation hubs across the city.”

3RD PRIZE: CARAVANSERAI (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) by Rafat Jahandideh of Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom

Project summary: “Traditional construction techniques, passive cooling strategies and an innovative use of materials blend together to inform this vernacular proposal for Dubai’s coastal, intermodal transit hub. Conceived as a modular system, the new terminal offers travelers generous interior gardens and courtyards.”

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD: DESTINATION CDG by Michel Ghostine and Christian Ghanem of Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon

Project summary: “Green and inventive strategies for the adaptive reuse of existing infrastructure seek to make Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport more sustainable. With this proposal, CDG becomes a high-tech prototype for future airports by transforming its desolated spaces and channeling movement flows to and from the city.”

Find more project images in the gallery below.

2016 Jury: Dave Gilmore, DesignIntelligence; Donald Albrecht, Museum of the City of New York; Curtis Fentress, Fentress Architects; Lukas Feireiss, Studio Lukas Feireiss; Andrew Vasey, Vasey Aviation Group; Agatha Kessler, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Tobias Nolte, Certain Measures; Moderated by Andres F. Ramirez, PLANE—SITE

All images courtesy of Fentress Global Challenge.