RSHP and CNADRI to design Terminal 4 at Bao’an International Airport in Shenzhen

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP) in collaboration with China Northeast Architectural Design & Research Institute, Shenzhen, (CNADRI) have won a design competition organised by Shenzhen Airport for Terminal 4 Bao’an International Airport in Shenzhen, China. The scheme will deliver a new 400,000 square metre terminal building with 60 new stands and connections to the mid-field satellite. Working with AECOM and Railway 2, the terminal will provide connections to existing and new transport infrastructure. The building aims to meet the demand of 31 million pax per annum (including 24 million international and 7 million domestic). Andrew Tyley, Partner, RSHP says “the design concept has at its heart a 10,000 sq m central garden space, the size of 40 tennis courts. The garden acts as the front door to Shenzhen connecting and integrating ground and air travel.” The terminal will be at the centre of a new airport city and will be a landmark portal through which thousands of people pass every day. The design provides Shenzhen with a state-of-the-art terminal with a particular focus on passenger experience, wellbeing, and sustainability. Reflecting this forward-facing dynamic city and region, it will become part of the lexicon of next generation airports. The entire frontage to the terminal is considered a city scape rather than a traditional front door to the terminal. Stemming from the interior central garden is a network of landscaped pathways leading to the airside and landside as well as transportation connections within the terminal. The traditional relationship of the forecourt to the terminal has been transformed into a new city orientated environment. The design prioritises these movements and connections into streets and avenues where buses and trains provide service to a street. Simon Smithson, Partner, RSHP said “I am always impressed by how architecturally engaged our clients in China are with the whole design process. I like to think that our success is because we are great listeners and that our projects not only provide our clients with what they need but do so in surprising and exciting ways.” Bingwen Ren, Principal, CNADRI said “It has been an honour to work with such a strong team, successfully sharing design ideas and decisions, resulting in the most satisfying teamwork experience with overseas practices. We would very much like to thank RSHP for all their trust and support. T4’s design, with so many original innovative ideas, will definitely be a new benchmark for all future terminals.” The building aims to meet a number of key sustainable design objectives. The building’s compact form – providing an optimal surface area to volume ratio – maximises the use of natural light whilst controlling solar gain. The project includes extensive vegetation, displacement ventilation, low water consumption including rainwater harvesting and a significant proportion of off-site prefabrication. These strategies as well as an efficient plan, equipment layout and the promotion of integrated public transport connections will all serve to minimise the building’s energy consumption in use. Ben Warner, managing director, RSHP Asia, said “winning the T4 competition with CNADRI, AECOM and Railway 2 is an important and substantial milestone in our work in China. Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the founding of RSHP in Shanghai, it is a testament to the successful and collaborative teamwork we enjoy with our partners here. Our design for the new terminal supports Shenzhen’s goal for being a centre for new technologies as well as its aspirations to be the world’s greenest city.” Terminal 4 will be an environment that celebrates human nature and human interaction both for arrivals and departures whilst maintaining a safe post-pandemic environment for all. Ivan Harbour, senior partner, RSHP said “we have worked in China for three decades and are delighted to have won this prestigious competition to design a new terminal at Bao’an Airport. This is an airport that celebrates the hellos and goodbyes in a natural environment at its heart. These are the emotional moments that, despite the ever-increasing speed of our daily lives, remain important to us as individuals. It is a building where passengers’ wellbeing and pleasure are at the heart of the design. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]