Monday, November 17, 2025
At the 2025 World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Miami, Gelephu International Airport, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), won the prestigious Future Prize. The airport is set to be located in the Himalayan region, at the border of India and Bhutan. In one of the most seismically active areas in the world, Gelephu International Airport will be built using mass timber rather than traditional concrete and steel.
The airport’s design features a massive column-and-beam diagrid structure, which will provide seismic resilience. The timber construction will incorporate glulam beams and columns, forming a robust and flexible framework. This innovative approach is a significant step towards sustainability in architecture, demonstrating how advanced engineering and traditional materials can work together.
Judges at the festival lauded the project for its ambition, social impact, and seamless integration into the natural environment. The design also highlights the project’s strong commitment to sustainability. A central feature of the design is the “Forest Spine,” an internal courtyard that divides the terminal into domestic and international sections. This space not only connects passengers to nature but also brings natural light deep into the terminal through skylights and large windows.
The Gelephu International Airport will span 68,000 square metres and is designed to handle 123 flights daily. By 2040, it is expected to serve 1.3 million passengers. The airport will be built using locally sourced timber, which is a key aspect of Bhutan’s Mindfulness City, a 386-square-mile area designed to foster a sustainable lifestyle.
The timber construction will feature carved and coloured panels, showcasing traditional Bhutanese motifs. Three dragons, symbolising Bhutan’s past, present, and future, will be integral to the design. BIG’s founder and creative director, Bjarke Ingels, described the project as “traditional yet avant-garde, forward-reaching and rooted.”
“The airport is the first and last impression you get of a place you visit. For Gelephu, we have tried to embody the nature and culture of the country and the Mindfulness City,” he said, highlighting the deep cultural and environmental significance of the airport’s design.
The WAF Future Prize recognises the most innovative and impactful projects, and Gelephu International Airport stood out for its combination of architectural vision and practical sustainability. The prize is a significant achievement for BIG, which has become known for its ability to combine bold ideas with pragmatic design solutions.
The airport’s design reflects a new approach to building in high-risk seismic areas, where traditional materials may not offer the same level of resilience. The use of mass timber is an environmentally conscious decision, offering a renewable alternative to concrete and steel. It is also a lightweight material, making it an ideal choice for a region prone to earthquakes. The choice of timber will not only ensure the airport’s structural safety but also contribute to its overall sustainability goals, which have been central to the project.
The project was one of six Future Projects honoured at the WAF, alongside others like the Vancouver Aquatic Centre in Canada, Luana Farms in the Philippines, and Smithfield Birmingham in the United Kingdom. The diversity of winning projects reflects the global shift towards sustainable architecture, with an emphasis on using local and environmentally responsible materials.
Global Attention for Gelephu’s Innovative Design
This year’s WAF event, held for the first time in the United States, attracted over 1,800 architects and designers from around the world. The Miami Beach Convention Centre hosted the festival, where 500 projects were pitched to juries. Speakers explored key themes such as sustainability, cultural identity, and urban design, and the event concluded with guided tours of Miami’s Art Deco district and a gala dinner to celebrate the winners.
As a part of Bhutan’s Mindfulness City, Gelephu International Airport embodies the country’s commitment to blending tradition with modernity. The project not only seeks to provide a functional airport but also aims to be a cultural and environmental symbol for the region.
The design’s focus on disassembly and rapid expansion ensures that the airport will remain flexible and adaptable as demand grows over the years. This forward-thinking approach makes it a model for future airport designs in seismic regions.
The Gelephu International Airport is expected to set new standards for sustainable architecture in seismically active regions. It showcases how innovative design, when paired with natural materials, can contribute to both environmental and social goals. Its success at the WAF Future Prize is a testament to the growing importance of sustainability and resilience in modern architecture.
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Tags: Gelephu International Airport, mass timber, quake-proof design, sustainable architecture, sustainable architecture Europe, timber construction, WAF Future Prize, woodworking UK
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