A honeycomb cave of light—Fuksas turned an airport into a parametric lantern the size of a city block.
International airport in Shenzhen, China.
Featured in Massimiliano Fuksas's definitive monograph, Massimiliano Fuksas.
Visitor Guide
Go upstairs and look back across the concourse: the perforated skin reads like a gradient map as you move.
Inside, mid-day for maximum daylight filtering through the hexagonal perforations; exterior at dusk for the glowing ‘honeycomb’ effect.
Public airport. Access is easiest if you’re flying, but landside areas can be visited; security limits airside movement. Open 24/7 in practice.
The pattern isn’t just decoration: perforation size and density are tuned to daylight, glare, and wayfinding—ornament as environmental data.
1–2 hours (if not flying)
Design & Structure
Designed as a continuous double-curved envelope with a perforation field—parametric patterning rationalized into repeatable panels and coordinated with structure, MEP, and passenger flows via BIM.
Steel structure with aluminum/metal cladding and extensive glazing: lightweight skin strategies scale up to an infrastructural megabuilding.
Long spans, complex roof geometry, and seismic/wind demands combine; engineering makes the vast hall feel column-light and intuitively navigable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport?+
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport was designed by Massimiliano Fuksas and completed in 1991. It is located in Bao'an District, People's Republic of China.
Where is Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport located?+
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is located in Bao'an District, People's Republic of China. Its coordinates are 22.6394°, 113.8108°.
When was Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport built?+
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport was completed in 1991. It was designed by Massimiliano Fuksas.
Can I visit Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport?+
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is a real building in Bao'an District that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.