Praised by its architects as the world’s most technologically advanced airport building in terms of passenger experience, operational efficiency, and sustainability, Beijing Airport is one of many new ones being constructed in China. Due to open in time for next year’s Olympic Games, it boasts a spectacular, aerodynamic roof covering a floor space of more than a million square meters. The airport is expected to process some 53 million travelers by 2015. It was built using sustainable design principles, including southeast-oriented skylights (to maximize heat from early sunshine) and an integrated environment-control system that uses minimal energy.

Architect: Foster & Partners