Renowned designers from around world have joined a competition that was initiated by IGA (Istanbul Grand Airport) consortium to determine the outlook of the air traffic control tower that will be built for Istanbul's new airport.
Designers and firms like Zaha Hadid, Moshe Safdie, Grimsaw-Nordic, Massimiliano Fuksas, Pininfarina-Aekom are among the participants of the competition.
Zaha Hadid's design was inspired by whirling dervishes.
"We are developing a unique project that inspires from local architecture. We launched this competition as we aim that the air traffic control tower to contribute a lot to Istanbul's new airport symbolically. We specifically asked participating firms to be inspired from Turkey's symbols. We evaluate the projects and will soon share the result," CEO of IGA consortium Yusuf Akçayoğlu said.
The new control tower is projected to reach a height of 95 meters. When completed, the third airport is expected to be the largest airport in the world with an annual passenger capacity of 150 million when all its phases are completed.
Minarets was the source of inspiration for Massimiliano Fuksas.
The project's first stage, which includes three landing strips and a terminal building with a capacity of 90 million, is expected to be inaugurated by the end of 2017 (Daily Sabah with DHA).