Techo International Airport by Foster + Partners
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Competition-winning project

Construction continues apace on the Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Located 20 kilometres south of the city centre, the project offers a new vision for Cambodia’s capital. The design embodies a strong sense of place, drawing inspiration from one of the oldest civilisations on earth, inspired by its vernacular forms, and responsive to the tropical climate. The overall competition-winning master plan by the practice includes plans for a new airport city with a state-of-the-art terminal building at its heart, providing the highest levels of passenger experience and setting new standards for sustainability.

The terminal building comprises a central head house with two aerofoil-shaped piers on either side that optimise walking distances. The head house contains all the passenger processing, security and immigration, and retail elements under a single overarching roof canopy that stretches from the drop-off to the airside, providing shelter from the elements. The roof – supported by structural trees spanning 36 metres – is a lightweight steel grid shell, with an innovative screen that filters daylight and illuminates the vast terminal space. Designed to be highly legible at a human scale, there are minimal level changes throughout the terminal and views out to the apron to improve clarity and make movement intuitive. Interior materials are warm and welcoming, evoking the Cambodian vernacular in a contemporary manner.

Aspiring to be one of the greenest airports in the world, the project takes a sustainable design approach, combining the latest technology with local craftsmanship, whilst minimising running costs. Flooded with natural light, the terminal is full of lush greenery, with mature trees rising through the soaring central void and edge planting softening the interiors. The terminal will also be almost entirely run on energy generated by an onsite photovoltaic farm.

The modular construction and phased project timeline enhance constructability. The terminal is strategically located to anticipate future expansion scenarios. The first phase of the airport terminal includes the central headhouse and the aerofoil wings to the north, accommodating up to 13 million passengers a year. Subsequent phases will include the second aerofoil wing, accommodating 30 million passengers.

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