British architectural firm Foster + Partners has successfully completed the new Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, featuring an innovative curved steel structure wrapped in distinctive latticed panels designed to filter natural daylight throughout the terminal. The airport represents a significant milestone in Cambodia's infrastructure development and showcases a thoughtful blend of modern engineering with traditional Cambodian cultural elements.
Located south of Cambodia's capital city, the airport was specifically designed by Foster + Partners to respond effectively to the country's tropical climate while reflecting local culture and architectural heritage. The main terminal building features a curved pier extending from its northern end, with plans for a southern pier expected to open in 2030. The building's most striking feature is its steel structural grid with columns that expand into a modular vaulted roof, deliberately designed to evoke the grandeur of Cambodia's traditional palaces and temples.
The innovative latticed panels that wrap the structure serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, helping to filter natural light while creating visual interest. Drawing inspiration from traditional Cambodian basket weaving techniques, Foster + Partners designed these latticed surfaces to stretch over the curved steel structure, effectively filtering daylight from skylights into the terminal below. During nighttime hours, warm-toned lighting positioned behind the lattices creates a calming and welcoming atmosphere for travelers.
The roof canopy strategically spans the terminal's security areas, passenger processing zones, and retail spaces, while extending beyond the glazed facades to provide essential shade for passenger drop-off areas outside. This thoughtful design approach ensures comfort for travelers while maximizing the use of natural lighting throughout the day.
"The modular lightweight shell structure and layered soffit filters daylight into the building, allowing people to experience the evolving qualities of the external environment throughout the day," explained Foster + Partners senior partner Nikolai Malsch. "Our design blends technological innovation with references to Cambodia's built heritage. Interior materials are warm and welcoming to ensure the highest level of passenger comfort, while reinforcing the country's unique identity."
The airport's layout prioritizes passenger convenience through short walking distances and intuitive orientation systems, ensuring easy navigation for both domestic and international travelers. The interior design incorporates trees and flowers native to Cambodia, along with an impressive collection of 200 hand-crafted sculptures, including a central bronze-cast Buddha that serves as a focal point for the terminal.
Foster + Partners head of studio Stefan Behling emphasized the cultural significance of the project, stating, "Techo International Airport is a celebration of Cambodian culture and light, forming a new gateway to the country. It is also one of the most sustainable airports in the region, filled with natural daylight and incredible local greenery, and offering strong visual connections to the outside."
Behling further added that "the terminal holistically transforms the experience of travel for the people of Cambodia and the millions of visitors who will travel through here every year." The emphasis on natural lighting, local materials, and sustainable design principles reflects Foster + Partners' commitment to environmentally conscious architecture.
The airport forms part of a comprehensive masterplan developed by Foster + Partners, which will eventually include a high-speed railway station and a public park in the surrounding area. This integrated approach to urban planning demonstrates the firm's vision for creating connected, sustainable transportation infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors.
Currently, Foster + Partners is working on several other major airport projects worldwide, including a tapered stone airport terminal in Saudi Arabia's Aseer Province and the ambitious six-runway King Salman International Airport in Riyadh. These projects showcase the firm's continued leadership in airport design and their ability to create culturally sensitive architectural solutions that meet the demands of modern air travel while respecting local traditions and environmental considerations.
