Surrounded by water, this island airport’s gently curving X-shape design maximizes the number of gates and reduces walking distances within the terminal, serving the region’s growing aviation needs with the target capacity of up to 23 million PAX per year by 2065.
Busan Airport engages with the city’s distinct natural surroundings, offering continuous views of Busan Bay to provide an unmatched cultural experience alongside state-of-the-art transportation efficiency. The airport is designed to initially meet the needs of 17 million PAX and accommodate the city’s expansion.
Oversized tree columns emulate the ancient trunks that populate the slopes of Busan’s mountains and provide an airy interior atrium for optimal passenger experience. Lush gardens define the retail spaces, blending the division between exterior and interior with the help of an expansive glass entrance façade. An interactive, rain-patterned LED floor further activates the space, while a statement water feature references the nearby coastline and aids in wayfinding.
The nature-inspired design reflects the terminal’s ambition to be the least carbon-intensive and most sustainable airport in Korea, incorporating renewable energy generation and storage facilities, low-carbon concrete runways, and a solid waste to energy plant. Green roofs and rain gardens are designed to handle 100% of the stormwater associated with Busan’s heaviest rainfalls, ensuring the airport’s performance far into the future.
