When you think of showstopping architecture, it’s likely that museums, hotels, or maybe even restaurants spring to mind, and while all three of those are categories in the prestigious architecture award Prix Versailles’s annual accolades, airports are included too.
Which airports were recognised at the 2026 awards?
Impressive air hubs from all over the planet were included in this year’s award. Techo International Airport in Cambodia is one of the most striking, and it was designed by gargantuan architecture firm Foster + Partners.
Striving to operate as one of the planet’s greenest airports, its appearance draws inspiration from ancient civilisation and vernacular shapes (meaning it reflects local indigenous buildings and materials). Its canopy-style roof is made of a steel grid shell and is supported by 36-metre-tall ‘trees’, allowing natural light to flood into the terminal. Quite eye-catching, right?
Elsewhere on the list is Frankfurt Airport’s terminal three, which features a pleasing, undulating ceiling design, and Navi Mumbai International Airport’s terminal one, which has been designed by Zaha Hadid. However, hubs in China and the USA were also recognised – scroll on to find out which ones.
These are the planet’s most beautiful airports
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (Terminal 3), China
- Frankfurt Airport (Terminal 3), Germany
- Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport (Terminal 2), India
- Navi Mumbai International Airport (Terminal 1), India
- Techo International Airport, Cambodia
- Pittsburgh International Airport, USA
- San Diego International Airport (Terminal 1), USA
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