Techo International Airport designed by Foster + Partners in Phnom Penh, is located 20 kilometres south of the city center. The project has inspiration from Cambodian history, inspired by its vernacular forms and responsive to the tropical climate.
Stefan Behling, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “An airport is amongst the most important of public buildings, reflecting its symbolic status as the gateway to a city and its crucial role in the globalized economy. The new Techo International Airport will be an important part of Phnom Penh’s continued development as the nation’s primary inter-regional, inter-modal transport hub.”
The airport terminal has a design that features a roof supported by structural trees that span 36 meters. The roof is made of a lightweight steel grid shell and has a screen that filters daylight. The terminal is designed at a human scale, with minimal level changes throughout the terminal and views out to the apron to improve clarity and reflexive movement.
The interior materials are warm and welcoming, evoking the Cambodian vernacular in a contemporary style. Additionally, the terminal will be almost entirely powered by an onsite photovoltaic farm.
Nikolai Malsch, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners, said: “Inspired by Cambodia’s history and built heritage, the terminal’s design stands as a modern embodiment of Cambodian culture. The Terminal roof is an expression of lightness and inherent modularity, serving as a symbolic gateway for every traveller’s journey.”
