The recipient of a RIBA award, the new TAG Farnborough Airport in Farnborough, UK, is the third in a series of additions designed for the overall masterplan, Europe’s prime business/private airport.
Courtesy of 3DReid Architects
Designed by 3DReid Architects- the product of a 2007 merger between 3D Architects and REID Architecture- the new building is a 5,000 m², two-story office and operations building/terminal which seeks to reflect the theatricality and technology of the aircraft which frequent the airfield. Farnborough is the site of the UK’s famous Farnborough Airshow and the location of the country’s first powered flight in 1908.
Courtesy of 3DReid Architects
Elements on the facade as well as the interiors peel and strip away from each other. These details, as well as those present in the previous two constructs, are reminiscent of airflow patterns and wing formations; the features lend a soft, rounded visage to the airport. There is something welcoming and inherently luxurious about the curves, presenting the airport in a very different light from the typical commercial airport experience of typically blunt, sharp lines- both designed and cued in.
Courtesy of 3DReid Architects
The main atrium is a prime example of the design aesthetic. A soft, pure white materiality gives an open, airy feel to the space which is an initial tone-setter for the user’s experience. It welcomes visitors and guides and organizes their circulation throughout.
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.