Coop Himmelb(L)au Crafts Iconic Design for Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport

Austrian design studio Coop Himmelb(L)au, known for its avant-garde approach, has teamed up with global consultancy firm Dar Al-Handasah Consultants to imagine Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport. Led by Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), the project pushes the boundaries of both architecture and engineering, weaving an aerodynamic language that mirrors Dubai’s relentless pursuit of innovation.

Resembling a sand dune or a gentle wave, the airport’s flowing roof defines its design, seamlessly merging form and function. Advanced structural systems allow the roof to span vast distances with minimal floor-level obstructions, creating an open, streamlined interior. This thoughtful approach ensures both aesthetic elegance and optimal functionality, enhancing the passenger experience while meeting all operational requirements.

Beyond the aesthetic appeal of the design, daylight and prevailing winds analysis played a crucial role in shaping the new airport’s profile, optimising the terminal’s orientation and form to harness natural light while minimizing glare and heat gain and reducing reliance on artificial energy. Complementing this, the algorithmic processes and parametric design tools helped refine the architectural geometry, while integrating factors like sunlight, wind patterns, structural grids, and curvature to achieve a highly efficient and sustainable design.

Once inside, the space reveals a mesmerising series of ‘flying islands’, elevated platforms supported by striking V-shaped columns. These verdant oases bring life and nature into the terminal, thriving beneath the vast expanse of the pristine white ceiling. Rising gracefully from the ground, the V-columns not only anchor the structure but evoke an imagery of pillars holding up the sky, blending functionality with poetic grandeur.

Balancing efficiency with cultural depth, Coop Himmelb(L)au’s design draws inspiration from Dubai’s rich heritage, reinterpreting traditional architectural elements in innovative ways. The façades resemble a sequence of unconventional arcades, where the structural roof flows seamlessly to meet the ground, supporting itself with sculptural elegance. Using modern materials and integrated green technology, the design creates a space that bridges the past and future in a subtle yet evocative manner.

Photography Credit: Coop Himmelb(L)au