The airports selected by Prix Versailles 2026 show how architecture, culture and innovation can transform the travel experience traduzido por: OPENROUTER
Submitted at Jul 8, 2026, 3:16 PM
Os aeroportos mais bonitos do mundo em 2026 (Divulgação/Divulgação)
Airports are among the most complex buildings in contemporary architecture. In addition to meeting technical requirements, many recent projects seek to incorporate solutions focused on passenger comfort, accessibility, environmental performance, and the appreciation of the cultural identity of the place where they are located.
These qualities guide the selection of the Prix Versailles for the most beautiful airports of 2026. The award's jury highlighted seven terminals that stand out for the quality of the project, the integration with the context, and the ability to represent their cities. Below, discover the chosen airports!
The new Terminal 3 of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport translates the identity of Guangzhou, a city known for combining historical heritage and architectural innovation. Developed by the Artelia firm in partnership with the Guangdong Architectural Design and Research Institute (GDAD), the project seeks to reinterpret elements of Lingnan culture, characteristic of southern China, through architecture inspired by the region's landscape.
Aeroporto Internacional de Guangzhou Baiyun (Divulgação/Divulgação)
Shapes reminiscent of clouds, watercourses, and flowers organize passenger circulation, while atriums, landscaped terraces, and vast illuminated spaces foster a more fluid experience.
With approximately 1.3 million m², Terminal 3 of Frankfurt Airport is among the largest airport infrastructure projects in Europe. Designed by architect Christoph Mäckler, the project organizes piers, boarding areas, and waiting rooms as a succession of streets and squares, creating an intuitive circulation inspired by urban logic.
Aeroporto de Frankfurt, Alemanha (Divulgação/Divulgação)
The materiality favors finishes such as limestone and travertine, while the wide glazed facades allow for the use of natural lighting. Among the standout elements are three suspended kinetic sculptures, formed by colored aluminum discs that move continuously.
Terminal 2 of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, in Guwahati, was designed to establish a direct dialogue with the landscape and culture of the state of Assam, in northeastern India. Designed by architect Nuru Karim, the building takes as its reference the bamboo orchid, an emblematic species of the region, reinterpreting its forms in curved roofs and organic structures.
Aeroporto Internacional Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi, Índia (Divulgação/Divulgação)
Inside, artworks, handicrafts, and references to indigenous communities reinforce the terminal's cultural identity, while solutions such as the use of bamboo, natural lighting, and principles of biophilic design contribute to a project that combines sustainability, environmental comfort, and a strong connection with the territory.
Inaugurated in 2025, Terminal 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport is the result of a large-scale intervention that transformed an area marked by rivers, wetlands, and existing infrastructure into a new airport hub.
Aeroporto Internacional de Navi Mumbai, Índia (Divulgação/Divulgação)
Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the project adopts the lotus flower as its central concept: its roof is composed of volumes reminiscent of the plant's petals, creating a fluid and striking silhouette. The design extends to the eaves and interior spaces, reinforcing the unity of the architectural language. The passenger experience is also enriched by a circuit of digital installations distributed throughout the terminal.
Conceived as a landmark of Cambodia's renewal, Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh was designed by Foster + Partners. The terminal organizes its spaces beneath a large continuous roof, making circulation between arrivals and departures more efficient.
Aeroporto Internacional de Techo, Camboja (Divulgação/Divulgação)
Inside, the structure evokes the weaving of baskets handcrafted with bamboo and rattan, reinterpreting traditional techniques. This solution also promotes the entry of natural light and passive ventilation, reducing dependence on artificial systems. Along the route, indoor gardens and rumduol specimens, Cambodia's symbolic flower, reinforce the connection between architecture, landscape, and national identity.
Pittsburgh International Airport was conceived as an extension of the region's landscape, with an architecture that references the Allegheny Mountains and the forests that characterize the territory. Developed by Gensler, HDR, and luis vidal + architects, the project features a wide, wave-shaped roof supported by 38 steel columns.
Aeroporto Internacional de Pittsburgh, Estados Unidos (Divulgação/Divulgação)
The relationship between interior and exterior is reinforced by the use of large glazed surfaces and open terraces intended for rest. Works by local artists and elements such as the Petal Tunnel, inspired by the traditional Fort Pitt Tunnel, complete the proposal to celebrate Pittsburgh's cultural identity.
Terminal 1 of San Diego International Airport underwent an extensive redevelopment that involved not only the main building, but also the access, parking, and transportation systems associated with the complex. Designed by Gensler, the project organizes the passenger experience as a continuous journey, intuitively connecting arrival at the airport to boarding.
Aeroporto Internacional de San Diego, Estados Unidos (Divulgação/Divulgação)
One of the main architectural elements is the curved glass facade, 244 meters long, developed in collaboration with artist and architect James Carpenter. The structure allows natural light in and, at the same time, helps control solar exposure. Terraces overlooking the bay, adaptable rest areas, and spaces dedicated to local businesses complement the proposal to create a more comfortable experience.
CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content-creating agent, developed by CASACOR's Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Milena Garcia.
traduzido por: OPENROUTER
