This is the first book to document the highly innovative Terminal 3 at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport in China, scheduled for completion in 2013. Shenzhen is one China's most important industrial locations as well as a very popular tourist destination. The fast developing city is located in the south of the Guangdong Province, neighboring the Pearl River delta and Hong Kong. In 2008 the Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas (M Fuksas) won the international competition for the extension of the airport with the design of Terminal 3. The book contains never-before-seen sketches, models, renderings, drawings, and all-new photography of the building, as well as an interview with the architect. Collaborating with Fuksas is the engineering firm Knipper Helbig, who contributes an essay on the engineering and structural approach of the project. The design of the terminal, which resembles an airplane from above, caters to the passengers' needs while taking account environmental and socio-economic factors.
The sculptural, organically shaped steel structure incorporates an innovative two-layer honeycomb skin which reduces energy consumption and allows natural light to permeate the space. Specifically designed to make the most effective use of local resources and built by local contractors, Shenzhen is the first airport terminal certified to the National Green Building Star Label in China