Design based on Kuwaiti sailing boats aims to achieve ‘gold’ LEED rating

Design for Kuwait International Airport by Foster + Partners

Design for Kuwait International Airport by Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners has revealed these designs for Kuwait International Airport.

The trefoil plan features facades spanning 1.2km and 25m-high internal spaces.

The single roof canopy has glazed openings and shades an entrance plaza, which is supported by tapering concrete columns. The architect says the structure’s shape reflects the movement of Kuwait’s traditional dhow sailing boats.

Foster is aiming to achieve a ‘gold’ target in LEED, the green rating system. The concrete structure provides thermal mass for cooling and features photovoltaic arrays.

The airport will accommodate 13m passengers per year, and could accommodate up to 50 million passengers with further development.

Nikolai Malsch, a partner at Foster + Partners, said: “ We have established an excellent working relationship with our client - we have a shared goal to create a terminal that is an exemplar of sustainable design and will establish Kuwait as the region’s leading airport.”