Crucial for ensuring efficient operations, passenger comfort and safety, airport design is often thought of through a singular and functional lens. However, airports play a large role as transitional spaces in the lives of millions of travellers. They often become the space that excites, grants you solace, and welcomes you home.

Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Terminal 2 at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, India, signals a shift away from the singular, functional lens. Covering a staggering 255,000 square metres, the new terminal focuses on nature, sustainability, and cultural integration to create a seamless blend of functionality, experience, and aesthetics.

Terminal 2 expands the airport's capacity by 25 million passengers annually while embracing the moniker "The Garden City of India" by creating a unique "terminal in a garden" concept. After all, before it gained popularity as India's Silicon Valley, Bengaluru was fondly known as the ‘Garden City’.

From the exterior landscape to the interior design, the terminal aims to immerse passengers in nature, offering a tranquil experience amidst the bustle of international travel. The complex, clad in brick, engineered bamboo and glass, seamlessly integrates with Bengaluru's legacy and surroundings.

The 90-metre-wide forest belt, a verdant expanse with indigenous flora, meandering paths, and two-storey pavilions, serves as a link between the arrival and departure areas. This departure from the conventional airport architecture creates an outdoor oasis for departing passengers, fostering a reflective and calming environment. The departure gates, set apart from the main complex, are connected by this expansive "forest belt," allowing travellers to experience nature as an integral part of their journey.

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The terminal’s interiors extend the natural aesthetic of the forest belt. Hanging plantings, skylights filtered through bamboo lattices, and bamboo-clad steel columns create a sensorial experience for passengers. The use of locally sourced materials, such as traditional woven rattan and ivory brown granite, infuses warmth and comfort into the expansive terminal spaces, a departure from the often-impersonal atmosphere of large infrastructure projects.

The retail structure of the complex features indoor waterfalls inspired by Karnataka's boulders and waterways. These signature focal points not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also contribute to cooling the indoor temperature. The overall design successfully captures the essence of Karnataka's landscape, providing arriving travellers with a preview and departing passengers with a lasting memory of the region's verdant beauty.

The structural design of Terminal 2 prioritises sustainability, efficiency, and modularity. The roof, one of the lightest at this scale globally, utilises domestically produced materials and local construction technology. The long-span steel moment frames above the check-in and retail spaces, supported by bamboo-clad steel columns, showcase a commitment to sustainability. This design not only achieves structural efficiency but also provides flexibility to accommodate future changes in the dynamic aviation industry.

The gate areas utilise long-span trusses, ensuring clear walkways and sightlines. The base building features a uniform grid of reinforced concrete moment frames, offering column-free spaces where foot traffic is highest. The overall structural design seamlessly integrates skylights, hanging planters, and landscaping, both inside and outside the terminal.

Terminal 2 is complemented by a 123,000-square-metre multimodal transit hub on the landside. Serving as the central artery for the entire airport, this T-shaped outdoor plaza simplifies access to public transit, making the entire terminal area entirely walkable. Elevated pedestrian bridges connect the hub to Terminal 1, the airport hotel, and Terminal 2, reducing walking distances and enhancing passenger convenience.

This transit hub is not just a functional space but also serves as an outdoor retail and entertainment area. Designed with a translucent, high-performance canopy, it echoes the aesthetic of Terminal 2. Lagoons on the southern side recycle stormwater runoff, creating a serene atmosphere. This space becomes a new civic square, offering a vibrant atmosphere for city residents and travellers alike.

The new terminal also showcases an extensive art program developed by Bengaluru International Airport Ltd. Sixty artworks, based on Karnataka's heritage and Bharata Natyashastra's Naurasa, adorn the terminal. Copper sculptures, Bidri art installations, and wood puppets contribute to making the passenger journey an unforgettable cultural experience. The art serves as a beacon, inviting passengers to pause, reflect and enjoy the rich traditions of the region.

The terminal runs entirely on renewable energy; and collects, treats, and reuses rainwater for irrigation. The emphasis on extensive outdoor areas, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, proves prescient in maximising wellness. The terminal's flexibility in gates ensures adaptability to evolving aircraft technology, making it future-proof. Pre-certified as a LEED Platinum building by the US Green Building Council, Terminal 2 is kind to the environment and its occupants alike. It is also recognised by the Indian Green Building Council. 

Kempegowda International Airport Terminal 2 in Bengaluru is a showpiece of innovative and sustainable airport design. By seamlessly blending nature, cultural elements and cutting-edge architecture, Terminal 2 not only enhances the passenger experience but also sets a new benchmark for airports worldwide. As a “terminal in a garden”, it symbolises the harmony between modernity and the natural world, inviting travellers to embark on a journey that begins and ends outside the flights they embark on.

Project Details

Name: Terminal 2 at Kempegowda International Airport
Location: Bengaluru, India
Year of completion: 2023
Design Firm: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)