Red Sea International Airport @ Saudi Arabia

Artist impression: The form of the roof shells cantilevers on the landside and airside to provide shade to the passengers.

(Source: Foster + Partners)

RED SEA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Inspired by the forms of the desert, the green oasis and the sea, removing the usual hassle associated with travel by providing a tranquil and memorable experience for passengers from the moment they arrive.

Work has started on building the new Foster+Partners-designed international airport in Umluj, Tabuk, on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, which is inspired by the colours and textures of the desert landscape. Named the Red Sea International Airport, the building is designed by the worldrenowned architecture firm as part of The Red Sea Project tourist development.

Construction began on the airport in early 2021, which is being built around 15 kilometres inland from the coast of the Red Sea, with site levelling currently underway. Set to be completed in 2022, the airport has been designed to reach a capacity of one million passengers a year by 2030.

It will almost exclusively serve tourists visiting The Red Sea Project tourist development, which is being developed nearby and will include a ring-shaped hotel on stilts above the Red Sea and a resort built among the Saudi Arabian sand dunes, also designed by Foster+Partners.

The form of the airport is informed by the desert that surrounds it. Visuals show a series of five dune-like pods that are arranged radially around a central drop-off and pick-up space. Each of these pods will contain a departure lounge that will have spas and restaurants. Between the pods, spaces filled with greenery will be created for the first stage of the arrivals process. The pods can be operated as a “mini terminal”, meaning that parts of the airport can be shut during periods of low demand to reduce energy usage.

“The Red Sea International Airport has been envisaged as a gateway to one of the most unique resorts in the world and an integral part of the visitor experience,” said Gerard Evenden, head of studio at Foster+Partners, when the project was first unveiled

Artist impression: The airport will also feature spas and restaurants enveloped in a relaxed atmosphere.

Artist impression: The design of the terminal aims to bring the experience of a private aircraft terminal to every traveller by providing smaller, intimate spaces that feel luxurious and personalised.

(Source: Foster + Partners)

Artist impression: The arrival experience is about speed of processing passengers, while welcoming them to their destination along with giving them a first impression of the Red Sea Experience.

(Source: Foster + Partners)

in 2019.

Inspired by the colours and textures of the desert landscape, the design seeks to create a calm and luxurious journey through the terminal and will become a transit hub for visitors coming in by both land and air.

Two wings extending from either side of the main terminal will contain the airport’s ancillary spaces including hangers, logistics bags and baggage handling facilities. According to the studio, this configuration will reduce the overall envelope and energy demand in comparison to standard stand-alone ancillary buildings.

The studio is aiming for the airport to achieve a LEED Platinum sustainability rating. It will be powered by 100% renewable energy and constructed and operated using a zero single-use plastic ethos.

The terminal’s roof shells will extend from the building to shade both the landside and airside areas of the airport. “The overall form of the terminal building has been designed to protect the internal environment from solar gains and therefore substantially reduce the overall energy demand for cooling in the building through self-shading,” said the studio. “Daylight has also been considered with most of the glazing facing north allowing for increased daylight penetration without compromising solar performance.”

Along with the main terminal building, a runway and dedicated seaplane runway, as well as three helipads, are under construction at the site. Described by its developers as the world’s most ambitious tourism development, the Red Sea Project will see a chain of 90 undeveloped islands off the west coast of Saudi Arabia be developed into a tourist resort.

Alongside Foster+Partners, Kengo Kuma and Associates and Dubai-based Killa Design are designing hotels as part of the project.

The Red Sea Project is one of several sites being developed in Saudi Arabia. In the AlUla desert, French architect Jean Nouvel has designed a subterranean hotel and architecture studio AW2 is creating a glamping resort made up of 47 luxury tents.

Foster+Partners is also designing an international airport for the Amaala resort, which is being developed around 250 kilometres north of the Red Sea Project. The “mirage-inspired” terminal drew criticism from the Architects Climate Action Network, which led to the Foster+Partners withdrawing from Architects Declare environmental group, stating that aviation needs “the most sustainable buildings”.

Artist impression: Upon arrival, passengers follow the natural spatial flow down through the lush oasis landscape towards the Welcome Centre, where they are met and welcomed to the Red Sea Resort.

(Source: Foster + Partners)

Artist impression: The airport will be powered by 100% renewable energy.

(Source: Foster + Partners)