like airplanes, airports have stayed pretty much the same over the years. since first breaking ground in the 1920s, designs have employed a hub of passenger facilities to act as both a barrier and an entryway to a larger site of landing areas and utility buildings. aircrafts have operated through paved runways separated from urban civilisation, or at least in part contained, by the structural volumes of the airport itself.
 
yet unlike airplanes this typology is not necessarily a necessary one. where a set of wings and aerodynamic design prove crucial for successful flight, altering the normative design of an airport could change things for the better. that?s the idea behind the european cultural center?s biennial exhibition which this year saw students from north carolina state university?s college of design work alongside curtis fentress of fentress architects, to propose concepts shaping the airport terminal of the future. 
?airports of the future? ? shiraz, iran
images via north carolina state university
 
 
students developed terminals for five global destinations: brazil, china, iran, madagascar, and new zealand. students worked on this project for 5-6 years, with each concept actualized through a series of architectural models and video renderings that fentress explained to the students were vital in winning airport projects.

?airports of the future? ? wellington, new zealand
 
 
working in five groups they studied the culture, geography, and economy of...