With an estimated 50
million passengers traveling
through it, Beijing Capital
International Airport is the
busiest airport in all of Asia.
Terminal 3 was built in 2008
to accommodate the growing
traffic volume, and was
opened just in time to handle
the influx of international
travelers arriving for Beijing’s
Olympic Games.
Terminal 3’s sprawling design
represents the developing
Chinese city. The glass and
steel lend a futuristic feel
while cultural heritage is
hearkened through rich
tones and tapered red pillars
reminiscent of the revered
Chinese dragon. One of
the most unique aspects
of the new terminal is its
enormous glass ceiling which
affords stunning views to
visitors traveling through the
concourse. But these views
came with a high cost…a
huge solar heat headache.
Terminal 3 suffered a
compounded heat problem.
The wide glass ceiling
allowed the sun to stream
directly in, intensely heating
the area and Beijing’s
summer temperatures
typically linger around
90°F. Air conditioning was
inadequate because of the
giant space. The combination
of solar heat intake through
the glass ceiling, Beijing’s hot