Chep Lap Kok Airport
Location: Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Completed: 1998
Foster + Partners, Architects


Chep Lap Kok Hong Kong photo : Dennis Gilbert/VIEW

HACTL Center Hong Kong - Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd

Chep Lap Kok Architect - Norman Foster

Photos of this world-famous airport building online Sep 2006

Chep Lap Kok Hong Kong photo : Dennis Gilbert/VIEW

Hong Kong Airport has been No.1 in the world since 1996 in terms of international air cargo throughput. Reports suggest it cost $20bn. Two islands were flattened to form roughly a quarter of the new island.


Chep Lap Kok Hong Kong photo : Dennis Gilbert/VIEW

Norman Foster built on his experience of Stansted, the first airport by Foster & Partners, in England. Stansted had a great concept sketch by Norman with two parallel horizontal lines and arrows showing ingress and egress. The space felt airy upon completion with great views of the aircraft. Since then it has sadly been filled with retail spoiling the volume and feelings of spaciousness.


Chep Lap Kok Hong Kong photo : Dennis Gilbert/VIEW

Chep Lap Kok Airport however still feels airy despite significant retail element: maybe this is a result of knowledge gained from the Stansted experience or perhaps due to simple factors such as the greater height from floor to soffit.


Chep Lap Kok Hong Kong photo : Dennis Gilbert/VIEW

The plan is frequently shown and forms a simple diagram of a line with forks at each end and airport bays all around save the entry of course. The Section is also simple: repetitive shallow vaults use similar light 'diffusers' as at Stansted Airport. Materials and surfaces are generally grey, typical Foster & Partners style!


Chep Lap Kok Airport - sketch image : Foster and Partners

Hong Kong International Airport is reputedly the world's largest at approx. 550,000 sqm.



Hong Kong Buildings

Another key Hong Kong building by Norman Foster, Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank:

image © adrian welch

Modern Architects

Norman, now Lord Foster, runs architects practice Foster + Partners



World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

Hong Kong Architecture - Guide to the Culture


photo © adrian welch
Norman Foster airport : Stansted by Foster & Partners

Chep Lap Kok Hong Kong photos - credit: Dennis Gilbert/VIEW

Airport Buildings

Comments / photos for the Hong Kong Airport Architecture page welcome:
info@e-architect.co.uk

Chep Lap Kok Hong Kong - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt

Website: www.hongkongairport.com