CHINA/UK. London-based specialist airport design consultancy The Design Solution has been appointed by Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) to redevelop the commercial planning and design of the international departure lounge in Terminal 3 of the capital city’s main gateway.
Since being unveiled in 2008 as the world’s second-largest airport terminal, BCIA T3 – also known as the Dragon terminal – has been an iconic symbol of the innovation, growth and status of the Chinese travel market.
BCIA’s tremendous traffic growth over recent years saw it handle over 100 million passengers in 2019. However the gradual migration of many flights to the new Beijing Daxing International Airport (inaugurated by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in 2019) has created an opportunity for an ambitious reconfiguration of theT3 departure lounge area.
The project aims to drive a stronger commercial performance through an expansion of T3’s total commercial space from 11,264sq m to over 13,000sq m and the creation of what The Design Solution pledged would be “a radically updated retail experience” for the terminal’s departing passengers.
In particular, the re-planning will address the fact that the central commercial areas are surrounded by shops but have very large central island units. The reconfiguration will create better retail positioning and enhance the passenger flow through the space, expanding consumer exposure to the shopping offer.
The project plan will integrate a unique interior design with innovative technology building on the terminal’s two historic gardens and fountain while creating a strong Sense of Place through sharing the culture and spirit of China, old and new. The holistic design will integrate a series of environmental elements and communicate an authentic expression of the human history and dynamic spirit of the China’s extraordinary capital city.
Commenting on the vision behind the T3 project, BCIA Assistant Manager of Market Development Madam Liu Lu said: “As traffic continues on its long-term growth pattern it is crucial that we ensure we continue to innovate and provide our passengers with a premium quality airport experience, as demonstrated by our recent repeated success in the ACI ASQ awards.
“This extensive re-configuration and re-design expresses our commitment to the passenger experience in retail and F&B and will drive significant new revenue opportunities for the airport including our retail partners, China Duty Free Group.”
The Design Solution Managing Director Robbie Gill commented: “Designed by Naco, Arup and Foster+Partners, Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital Airport is one of the most iconic terminals in the world and it is a great honour to be selected to reimagine, re-plant and redesign this soaring space.
“The commercial areas were originally planned nearly 20 years ago and, in that time, the world of airport retailing has moved forward dramatically. In particular, the importance of luxury brands, particularly in China, has become ever more important at the heart of the retail experience. Eating and drinking has also become a much bigger imperative for the region’s travellers.
“The airport wants to take the opportunity of the reduced traffic passing through the airside space – due to the migration of passengers to Daxing – to transform the terminal experience ready for further growth in the future. We will be creating a new powerful vision and transform the space to maintain BCIA’s pioneering position among the world’s leading airport experiences.”
The design work is underway and will continue over the coming months.
About The Design Solution
The Design Solution is a London-based retail architecture and design practice with a strong specialism in the US$70 billion travel retail industry. The practice has over 30 years’ experience in developing world-class retail solutions for airports, rail, motorways and other retail destinations all over the world together with compelling merchandising and experiential designs for brands.
