Bhutan has revealed plans for a new international airport that will marry the country's traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge, biophilic design. Olivia Palamountain reports

Gelephu International Airport, designed in collaboration with Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO), will transform tourism in the Himalayan kingdom when it opens in 2029.

The innovative design will allow travellers to experience Bhutan's natural environment from the moment they arrive, with tropical trees providing natural shade throughout the facility.

The airport's main functional areas, including immigration, security and luggage handling, will be arranged around a forest courtyard that brings the outdoors inside.
Bjarke Ingels, founder & creative director of architectural firm BIG, which is leading the design, says: "An airport is the first and last impression of a place you visit. For the Gelephu International Airport, we have tried to embody the nature and culture of the country and the Mindfulness City. The forests that cover the highlands are allowed to flow from the arrival plaza through the airport to the tarmac."

Built using modular mass timber frames, the structure is designed for flexibility and future expansion capabilities. From a distance, the airport's silhouette will resemble a stylised mountain range, harmonising with the surrounding landscape.

The arrival plaza will be divided into four distinct zones, each featuring native plant species surrounding seated areas where passengers can relax.

Close inspection of the design reveals intricate traditional carvings and colours throughout the facility. The decorative elements will include three types of dragons representing Bhutan's past, present, and future – a spiritual element that highlights the country's heritage while positioning it as forward-thinking.

A distinctive feature of the new facility will be its incorporation of elaborately painted wood carvings by local artisans, inspired by the "Kachen" – a wooden pillar in traditional Bhutanese architecture known for both its structural importance and intricate decorative elements.

"For me, this unusual embrace of traditional craft and colour is a true testament to how affected I have been by my encounter with Bhutan - the country, its culture, and its people," Ingels adds.

The architectural plans for Gelephu Airport will be showcased internationally at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, titled "Ancient Future," running from May to September.

The new airport represents a significant development for Bhutan's tourism sector, which operates under the country's "High Value, Low Volume" policy designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising benefits to the local economy.

When completed in 2029, the facility is expected to enhance international connectivity for the South Asian nation, which currently relies primarily on Paro International Airport for overseas arrivals – an airport known for being one of the world's most challenging landing sites due to its location in a deep valley surrounded by mountains.