RSHP win competition to design T4 at Bao’an International Airport, Shenzhen

The scheme will deliver a new 400,000 sq m 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 (incl. 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 cityscape 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 kerb street.

Simon Smithson, Partner, RSHP says “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 says “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 minimize the building’s energy consumption in use.

Ben Warner, Managing Director, RSHP Asia says “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 says “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.

About China Northeast Architectural Design & Research Institute Co. Ltd (Shenzhen) (CNADRI): China Northeast Architectural Design & Research Institute Co. Ltd. was founded in 1952, under the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC); it is one of the six biggest national design institutes in China. CNADRI has a Grade-A Design Qualification and provides well-equipped professional services including designing and the consulting services for urban planning, architecture, structure, MP&E, interior design, budget control, building materials, geotechnical survey etc. At present, CNADRI has over 2,200 staff, with projects located in 27 provinces in China and over 10 countries/regions in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

For years, CNADRI has been leading in steel structure and long-span structure fields in China and is supremely experienced in dealing with complex large-scale engineering projects. CNADRI has completed several domestic terminal projects such as Zhengzhou Xinzheng Terminal 1, Terminal 2, & Terminal 3 (DD Stage). Since the Shenzhen branch company founded in 1982, CNADRI was also responsible for the very first airport in Shenzhen.

For over many decades, CNADRI continues to pursue innovation and excellence. It has won the reputation from clients due to its credibility, professional skills, innovation, responsible attitude, and efficient working methods. CNADRI is confident to keep on this road and take on more challenges. It will, as before, offer professional, thoughtful, and high-quality services to all clients.