Author: Jessica del Pilar

Fentress Global Challenge 2024 Shortlist Announced

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

University students envision airport design in 2100

January 17, 2025 (Denver) – Fentress Architects is pleased to announce the shortlist of eight design concepts for the 2024 Fentress Global Challenge (FGC). The 2024 call to action to graduate students was to design an airport terminal for the year 2100 CE. Students were encouraged to consider projections such as site availability, climate conditions, modes and destinations for air travel, and more that could impact the design.

FGC is an international design competition launched in 2011 by Curtis Fentress, founder and principal in charge of design for Fentress Architects. Over the past thirteen years, the competition has attracted more than 1,000 submissions from university students and recent graduates around the world. Speaking about the 2024 FGC shortlist, Curtis Fentress commented:

“Every year I am inspired by the vision, creativity, and practicality of these talented young designers. The airport designs submitted in 2024 included highly theoretical visions as well as practical adaptations that could be implemented today. Viewed together, these innovative concepts show an awareness of evolving trends and the vision to create hypothetical solutions for the Airport of the Future.”

The final winners of the 2024 FGC will be announced in February 2025. Winning teams will receive the following awards: $10,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $2,000 for third place. In addition, two People’s Choice Awards will be selected via the Fentress Architects Facebook page.

2024 Fentress Global Challenge Project Shortlist

The eight 2024 FGC shortlisted entries include, in alphabetical order by project name:

Gen-Infinity – Vision for a 22ndCentury Airport in Japan

  • Designers: Alap Parikh and Srinath Sivakumar – North Carolina State University, USA
  • Design Vision: A pioneering design that embodies the spirit of Japan’s technological and cultural heritage, Gen-Infinity reimagines air travel through decentralization, adopting a satellite approach that promotes efficiency and reduces congestion.

The Hetapod – New Aviation Technology: Air Parking Garage

  • Designer: TianuWang – Harvard University, USA
  • Design Vision: Just as evolution of the automobile drove changes in architectural design, future aircraft will do the same. The Hetapod will serve as a structure for housing aircraft of many kinds, with each level featuring specialized runways.

Jizzakh International Airport – Where the Whole World Meets

  • Designer: Asal Makhamadkarimova – Tashkent University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Uzbekistan
  • Design Vision: Drawing on Uzbekistan’s deep-rooted history as the heart of the ancient Great Silk Road, this design envisions the country as a central hub for global travel and cargo, re-establishing it as a meeting point between the East and West.

LAX Droplet – Vertical Take-Off and Landing

  • Designers: Laura Hedrick and Matthew Phillips – North Carolina State University, USA
  • Design Vision: This new LAX terminal is dedicated to vertical take-off and landing. Design goals included reducing strain on land-side transportation, improving passenger mobility, and providing an immersive experience inspired by water.

ManchesterT4 – A Sustainable Gateway to Space

  • Designer: Connor Meighan – University of Manchester, UK
  • Design Vision: As the UK positions itself at the forefront of space tourism, this airport concept envisions a pioneering transport hub that combines space tourism, green aviation technologies, and sustainable architecture.

Para-Isla – Ninoy Aquino International Airport

  • Designers: SLee,ShaneaLimandDarlaSengco– University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
  • Design Vision: Para-Isla combines Filipino culture, advanced technology, and sustainable design to enhance passenger experience. The triangles within the form embody the three main island groups, namely, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Socotra Floating Eco-Airport – A Nature-Interconnected Airport

  • Designers: Muhammad Aqil Mohd Amran and Nurul Hazirah Naim – College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
  • Design Vision: As VTOL technology takes hold, Socotra Island becomes a strategic location for a global transit hub. The futuristic airport floats along the coastline, blending advanced infrastructure with nature to harness 100% renewable energy.

Sponge Airport – Don Muang Area

  • Designers: Josua A.Widjiyanto,Chintya andYoshua D.Tarigan – Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia
  • Design Vision: Adapting to rising sea levels, this airport is based on the concept of a sponge plot to create amphibious structures. An integrated mass rapid flight typology accommodates the needs of air travel while also revitalizing public spaces.

2024 Fentress Global Challenge Esteemed Jury

The 2024 FGC jury was comprised of select professionals who have distinguished themselves in the realms of architectural visioning and aviation innovation. These jurors, listed below, are highly recognized for their noteworthy contributions:

Dr. Alan Stolzer — Dean and Professor, College of Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Alan is an experienced pilot and aviation safety expert. He joined the Embry-Riddle faculty in 2008 and is currently dean of the College of Aviation School of Graduate Studies. His distinguished career as a professor, author, and aviation authority spans 37 years. Alan’s many awards and recognitions include his election as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Federal Aviation Administration Air Transportation Centers of Excellence Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award.

Holly Miles — Editor, International Airport Review

Holly is editor of International Airport Review, the leading media source for the airport community focusing on passenger experience, innovation, operations, revenues and sustainability. Since joining the brand in 2020, Holly has increased the outlet’s global reach and brand awareness and is well known in the airport sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Queen Mary University of London.

Bradford C. Grant — Interim Dean and Professor, Howard University

Bradford is a registered architect and distinguished educator. He has extensive experience in community design, contemplative practices in design education, and environmental justice in architecture. In recognition of his work, research on African American architects, and teachings on “Drawing as Meditation,” he has received two American Institute of Architects (AIA) Awards – Honor for Education and Honor for Collaborative Achievement.

Dr. Agatha Kessler — Chairman, Fentress Architects

Recognized for her strategic thinking and fearless creativity, Agatha is Chairman of Fentress Architects and the non-profit Aerial Futures. Prior to this, she worked as an executive in finance and technology for 35 years with industry-leading companies such as VISA and Hewlett-Packard. With a keen interest in the future of air and space travel, Agatha earned her Ph.D. in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA from Warwick Business School.

Press Contact:
Jenny Ito, Director of Marketing | ito@fentressarchitects.com I 303.722.5000

New Cultural Center Tops Out in Five Points 

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Excerpt: The state-of-the-art facility, designed by Fentress Architects, will feature a theater, dance studios, and educational spaces, all aimed at fostering creativity and providing a platform for diverse artistic expression. 

“We are thrilled to see our vision for the Center for the Healing Arts coming to life,” said Cleo Parker Robinson, founder and artistic director of CPRD. “This new facility will not only accommodate our growing needs but also serve as a vibrant hub for cultural diversity and artistic innovation in Denver.” 

Read the full story

6 Sustainable Airport Design Examples

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Excerpt: Sustainable airport design can be much more complex than creating a green office space or home. Factors like runway constraints, an urban environment, and millions of annual visitors make airport sustainability no easy feat…

See how these airports are not only designed for the environment, but also for new and seasoned travelers alike.

1. Terminal C at Orlando International Airport 

2. Los Angeles International Airport

3. Nashville International Airport’s Concourse D

Read the full story | Learn more about MCO, LAX, BNA

5 Unique Air Traffic Control Towers at US Airports That Stand Out From the Crowd

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Excerpt: One slightly unnerving fact about the SFO airport is that it was built only four miles from the San Andreas Fault. Consequently, the San Francisco Airport control tower was designed by Fentress Architects to withstand magnitude 8.0 earthquakes. The tower rises 67 meters or 220 feet. Its multiple glass-fronted panels are illuminated by color-changing and programmable diodes that allow the tower to be lit up and change color for holidays and events.

Read the full story | Learn more about this project

24 Facts About Incheon International Airport

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Excerpt: Incheon International Airport: A Marvel of Modern Engineering

Incheon International Airport, located in South Korea, is one of the busiest and most advanced airports globally. Here are some fascinating facts about this incredible hub of travel and technology.

01 Opened in 2001, Incheon International Airport quickly became a major gateway for travelers heading to and from Asia.

02 Built on reclaimed land, the airport was constructed on an artificial island between Yeongjong and Yongyu Islands.

03 Designed by Fentress Architects, the airport’s architecture is inspired by traditional Korean culture, featuring elements like the curved rooflines of ancient palaces.

Read the full story | Learn more about this project

Design Delight

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Taking design inspiration from popular community destinations to design feel-good airports for passengers and employees.

What do passengers want? This question has long been asked by airport stakeholders and designers alike, and the response is generally a familiar list of features – comfortable seating, good food, natural lighting, local flair, and so on.

For Fentress Architects the answer to this question is summed up in a single sentence: passengers want to look forward to spending time in the airport terminal, just as they do to arriving at their destination.

Knowing that architecture is central to delivering an enjoyable airport terminal experience, the Fentress design team draws inspiration from places where people choose to spend their free time, such as coffee shops, cultural centers, shopping districts, and parks.

Taking design cues from places that are central to our daily lives offers a range of benefits. Innovative integration of these features can deliver benefits that are conceptual and functional—such as improving building performance and passenger experience simultaneously. It can also create an airport environment that celebrates what is special about a region, giving passengers a distinctly local experience.

Los Angeles Airport’s Bradley West

The extension of the Tom Bradley International Terminal—”Bradley West”—achieves this level of passenger experience, with a design that is quintessentially LA. Since its opening in 2016, TBIT has made passengers feel special, offering them a touch of red-carpet treatment.

The rolling roofline—reminiscent of cresting ocean waves—is created from a series of overlapping vaults that form clerestories on the north and east facades. The building’s orientation brings an abundance of diffused daylight into the airy terminal and concourses, improving building performance while brightening passenger spirits. Along the perimeter, exterior sunshades reduce solar glare and heat gain so passengers can comfortably enjoy the breathtaking panorama of the airport and the Santa Monica Mountains beyond.

Fentress Architects designed the 150,000 square foot signature Great Hall to offer a bounty of amenities worthy of a world-class creative hub. A multi-screen video installation captivates children and adults alike with curated videos that highlight the area’s urban and natural environment. Play areas provide families with fun places to take their restless children. Changing art installations further add to the distinctive sense of place and offer passengers new experiences on subsequent visits.

And, of course, an LA experience would not be complete without name-brand boutiques and premier eateries. By prioritizing passenger experience throughout the design, TBIT redefined and refined the traditional airport layout.

MCO media installation

Orlando Airport’s Terminal C

With soaring lines and sweeping vistas, the new Terminal C opened in 2022, delivering a distinct sense of place that delivers The Orlando Experience®. The essence of Sky, Water, and Flora were aesthetically integrated in the design to showcase the natural beauty of central Florida and to provide an unprecedented first and last impression of Orlando.

Fentress Architects applied urban design principles to create human-scale spaces that support passenger health and wellbeing through the integration of biophilic elements. With its continuous skylight of varying blue frits, a Boulevard stretching 1000 feet serves as the main circulation spine and offers two plaza-like spaces—Town Square and Palm Court—that provide comfortable seating arrangements for passengers to relax.

Palm Court features a dynamic multi-media installation called the Moment Vault, delivering an interactive experience that delights passengers of all ages. The entire route, from concourse to curbside, is brought to life with abundant daylight that dapples through palm fronds and skylights to enliven the arrival experience.

Arriving domestic passengers deplane onto spacious concourses flanked by expansive windows, and an elevated glass corridor greets international travelers, helping re-adjust circadian rhythms after their long journeys. Additional biophilic design elements can be seen in furniture and millwork with nature-inspired palettes. Retail and concessions utilize wood frame portals to create a holistic design, and furniture is covered in calming shades of blue and seafoam green with wooden side tables and benches.

Nashville Airport’s Terminal Lobby and International Arrival Facility

Nashville’s expanded Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility opened in 2023, the largest of seven projects that will deliver the BNA® Vision of a state-of-the-art airport to meet the needs of Middle Tennessee today and well into the future.

An elegant, undulating roof canopy extends a friendly southern welcome to Music City visitors, providing intuitive, passenger-friendly navigation from curbside to gate—including a covered pedestrian bridge that takes people safely to and from the parking garage, avoiding the busy pick up and drop off traffic below. Clad on the underside with a warm wood tone, this central spine features a series of grand skylights that bathe the space in diffused daylight. Clerestory windows with electrochromic glass reduce solar and heat load in the west-facing concourse.

The 780,000 square foot Terminal Lobby offers passengers a distinctly Nashville experience, with a Marketplace that features dining and retail amenities with a local flair—as well as services that enhance time spent in the airport. Gender-inclusive restrooms and dedicated mothers’ rooms provide much-appreciated contemporary elements.

Of course, it goes without saying that happy employees are also important for passenger happiness. To meet the demands of both, BNA’s expanded and consolidated security screening checkpoint minimizes wait times, and a new Customs and Border Protection zone accommodates 800 passengers per hour using the latest in biometric technology. Overhead, a 650 square foot artwork extends a heartfelt “Welcome to Nashville.”

The international terminal needed to remain fully operational throughout design and construction, so it was also essential to maintain a comfortable environment for passengers and employees alike throughout that time. To expedite construction, the roof was raised by strategically placing six columns with the world’s second-largest crane—a herculean task that was performed at night to avoid inconveniencing passengers.

2024 Southeast Best Projects

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Nashville International Airport Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility Receives Merit Award in Airport/Transit

Excerpt: “The design-build team [of Fentress Architects and Hensel Phelps] on this $445-million renovation, which broke ground in October 2019 and completed in September 2023, transformed a 35-year-old terminal with an intuitive design that optimizes the flow of passengers… Despite cost escalations during and after the pandemic, the project remained within budget and opened on schedule.”

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Nashville IAT

Fentress Architects Welcomes Robin Ault as Design Director and Principal

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The Architect’s Newspaper

Excerpt: Robin Ault is great architect and friend,” said Curtis Fentress, Fentress Architects’s founder and principal in charge of design. “His highly sculptural and iconic approach to design is in perfect alignment with Fentress Architects’s core values. We are thrilled to have him back.”

Read the full story | Learn more about Robin

DBIA Honors BNA Among 2024 Projects and Teams Transforming the Industry

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2024 DBIA Project/Team Merit Award Winners: Aviation

Nashville International Airport (BNA) Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility is honored with three awards at the 2024 Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) National Conference:

  • DBIA Merit Award
  • DBIA Excellence Award
  • DBIA VDC Award

Excerpt: Nashville International Airport Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility: This 780,000 sq. ft. renovation transformed a 35-year-old terminal into a modern, efficient facility that enhances passenger experience and reflects Nashville’s musical heritage through innovative design elements.

Read the full story | Learn more about this project
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