Nordic’s winning concept for the Chongqing Jiangbei International Terminal 3B interior
Nordic — Office of Architecture won the interior design competition for the Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Terminal 3B in Chongqing, China. Inspired by the local rivers, Nordic collaborated with UDG, ADC and Lichtvision to create a journey where passengers travel through a history of Chongqing’s rich culture and scenery, using past, present, and future themes, as described by Nordic below:
A cultural and scenic journey
Our vision for the interior design of Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Terminal 3B was inspired by the local rivers. We created a journey where passengers travel through a history of Chongqing’s rich culture and scenery, using past, present, and future themes. The design concept is based on architectural elements that gradually build up for clear and intuitive wayfinding—from arrival at the terminal to the departure gates. The terminal’s identity is rooted in Chongqing’s traditions. It is a place that shows visitors the characteristics and novelties of the area, and a place that locals recognise as home.
Movement and flows
The team used a variety of geometries to create movement and pause. Linear geometries are inspired by the local rivers and used to show movement and flows, creating an important wayfinding element throughout the terminal. Areas for pause are marked with closed smooth shapes, formed by fixed furniture and design details.
The area above level 3 is dedicated to the future. Here, art and technology are used to illustrate new ideas and developments, creating rich and diverse attractions from the centre to the gates. At level 3, the story shifts to the present, focusing on Chongqing’s cityscape, the region’s topography, its landscape and villages, and our connection to nature. The flow of rivers and undulating landscapes provide a conceptual thread that defines circulation to gates, interspersed with islands of calm for pause, and linked with synergistic commercial programmes along the passenger journey.
Throughout the journey, from the arrival at the APM platform on level 0 up to level 3, the application of materials, finishes, graphics and wall treatments was carefully considered in order to demonstrate the region’s rich history and topography. This also provides an animated storytelling for departing and arriving passengers.
View the full project information on their website.
